The European Union (EU) Commission welcomed the adoption...

The European Union (EU) Commission welcomed the adoption of the third European Union (EU) Reform Package by the Turkish Parliament as an important signal of the determination of the majority of Turkey's political leaders towards further alignment to the values and standards of the EU. In a statement, the EU Commission recalled that the Turkish Parliament adopted these important decisions in record time and with an overwhelming majority.
"The Commission welcomes in particular the abolition of the death penalty, the allowance of broadcasting in different languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives and the improved education possibilities for minority languages. These reforms are significant steps towards better protection of human rights and the rights of minorities in Turkey," it said. Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, responsible for EU Enlargement, said, "As regards the abolition of death penalty, no doubt, Turkey is now on our side".