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A conflict has arisen between Turkey and the European Union, months before European government leaders decide whether or not to open membership talks with Turkey. The clash follows the decision by the Turkish parliament to postpone the planned overhaul of its penal system. The EU expressed its concern at the decision and demanded that Ankara carry on with its reforms. This angered Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who said that EU accession should not be used to put pressure on Turkey and that member states should not interfere with domestic affairs.
The modernization of Turkey's penal code includes a range of measures, varying from tougher penalties for torture to the prohibition of people smuggling. The reforms are intended to bring Turkey's laws more in line with those of current EU member states
(rnw.nl)
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