“The Progress Report on Turkey gives a comprehensive and balanced picture of the state of reform efforts in Turkey. It recognizes the impressive progress Turkey has made this year, particularly on constitutional reform. However, it also points to continuing deficits, for instance with regard to freedom of religion, the rights of women, the right to freedom of the press and the rights of Kurdish citizens.I remain convinced that the European perspective is the best way to accelerate the process of reform in Turkey. Turkey itself sets the pace of its move towards Europe with the pace of its reforms. We Europeans are called upon to keep our promise to Turkey and be fair negotiating partners.”