Statement by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn following the Turkish elections

I welcome that Turkey held free and fair elections that took place peacefully and in line with democratic standards.

I look forward to the swift formation of a new government. Turkey faces major economic and political challenges. We expect that the new government will re-launch the legal and economic reforms with full determination and concrete results. They are essential in order to improve lives of Turkish citizens and make further progress for EU accession and the modernisation of the country.

We need in particular to see concrete results to ensure fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

I trust that the new government will immediately launch the reform process so that we can report progress when presenting our report in early part of November.

I look forward to working with the new government for a democratic, modernised and prosperous Turkey which is in our common interest.