EU urges Turkey to implement newly approved reforms, draft new ‘civilian’ constitution

EU tells Turkey to implement reforms

ANKARA, Turkey — The European Union has urged Turkey to implement reforms and to draft a new constitution that would usher in more freedoms after Turks approved sweeping changes to the constitution.

About 58 percent voted in favor of government-proposed amendments to the constitution crafted after a 1980 military coup in a referendum Sunday.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said Monday the changes address “long-standing priorities” for Turkey’s membership.

He says Turkey needs to enact laws to implement the reforms as well as a new constitution that would bring its democracy more in line with European standards.