"Freedom of expression is non-negotiable: EU
Published: Thursday, 5 October, 2006, 10:12 AM Doha Time
ANKARA: Turkey must take steps to ensure freedom of expression if it wants to join the European Union, European Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn said yesterday, adding the issue was non-negotiable.
“This is not a bargaining issue. Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental values of the EU,” Rehn told the NTV television news channel. “It will be in Turkey’s interest to guarantee freedom of expression.”
Brussels has recently raised concerns over free speech in Turkey after a string of intellectuals were brought to trial under a much-criticised article of the penal code."
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