EU commissioner slams use of excessive force in Turkish protests

ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 8 (UPI) -- A top European Union official is criticizing Turkish police for what he calls excessive use of force during protests as Turkey pushes for membership in the EU.

Turkish officials responded to the criticism by Stefan Fule, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, by accusing the EU of obstructing the country's effort to join the 27-nation organization, Today's Zaman reported Friday.

Fule, speaking to an Istanbul audience that included Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said, "there is no place for police brutality in democracies," and called on Turkey "not to give up on its values of freedom and fundamental rights."

He said Turkey has made progress on judicial reforms and peace efforts with the Kurdistan Workers Party, but "more needs to done."

Turkey has acknowledged excessive force was used on some protesters.

Erdogan said Fule's comments had weakened hopes the county might soon be accepted into the EU.

Polls indicate Turks still think of EU membership as positive but Erdogan noted only 30 percent of Turks believe Turkey will be accepted as a full member, down from 75 percent in 2004.

Turkey is determined to institute reforms necessary for full membership, Erdogan said.