Turkey tries to soothe EU concerns over media raid

Zeynep Şafak ANKARA

DAILY NEWS Photo

After the quarrel between Turkish and European officials intensified following the media raid in Turkey on Dec. 14, the country’s permanent representation in Brussels has approached the European Union to try to soothe concerns over the case.

The meetings in Brussels came as EU foreign ministers agreed to warn Turkey that it must "respect the rule of law and freedom of expression" if the negotiation process is to continue, in a reminder that will be officially published on Dec. 19 as part of the EU Council’s joint communiqué.

The reminder will urge Turkey to align with the EU acquis on democracy, freedom of expression and rule of law, while also expressing its concerns over the arrest of top journalists.

Turkish diplomatic sources recalled that this was not the first time Turkey and the EU have had tension over these issues, and stressed that it is not the executives role to "intervene in the judicial process."

“There was criticism toward the state regarding freedom of expression in the past as well. But intervening in the judicial process is not the executive’s duty. Accession negotiations have already been suspended, so adding these lines to the communiqué won’t create trouble. Relations will continue as they have up to now,” sources said, referring to blocks on negotiations by some member states.

Davutoğlu is planning to visit Brussels in January to hold high-level talks with EU officials.