DHAKA: The EU’s executive on Wednesday urged the bloc’s governments to reopen stalled membership talks with Turkey despite this year’s crackdown on protesters as well as open the door to Albania.

Releasing its much-awaited yearly enlargement report, the European Commission rebuked Ankara for an ‘uncompromising stance in the face of dissent’ and ‘excessive force’ by police against protesters.

But it urged the 28 EU states to confirm their willingness to give new impetus to ties with Turkey by resuming the talks.

The commission also praised Turkey for key reforms over the past year, including major judicial reforms and the start of a peace process with Kurdish groups to end conflict in its south-east, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1953 HRS, OCT 16, 2013
RoR/GCP