EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle has called on Turkey to continue drafting a new constitution with the largest participation possible through a democratic process, welcoming a consensus among the Turkish public on the need for a new constitution, Today’s Zaman reports.

Füle was discussing developments in Turkey ahead of a vote on Thursday, March 28 on a draft report on Turkey written by European Parliament's rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten.

Füle said the reform process continues in Turkey although sometimes it is slowed and added that many taboos can now be freely discussed in public. “Who could previously think that Turkey could return the properties of minorities?” he asked.

Speaking about Cyprus peace talks, Füle said he is astonished that no one is talking about peace talks to reunify the long-divided island and asked if this shows that Parliament is satisfied with the status quo. He added that there is no option other than a comprehensive settlement on the island.

Oomen-Ruijten reiterated in her speech that Turkey needs a civilian constitution. She said the European Parliament completely supports Turkey's push to draft a new civilian constitution that includes a principle of power sharing - something modern and prosperous Turkey needs.

Swedish Christian Democrat Alf Svensson said the EU must immediately decide whether or not it wants Turkey to be a member of the bloc.

Dutch Socialist Emine Bozkurt said while the EU is calling on Turkey to ensure press freedoms, it must also seriously investigate attacks on Turkish media institutions across Europe.

English Conservative Geoffrey Van Orden called on the 27-nation bloc to lift economic isolation on Turkish Cyprus, as it had earlier promised to do.