Turkey backs law reforms to boost chance of joining EU

TURKEY cleared another hurdle in its application for EU membership in Brussels yesterday after giving undertakings to introduce a bill containing new laws criminalising people trafficking, genocide, virginity tests and honour killings.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called a special session of the Turkish parliament on Sunday to vote through the remaining three articles in the country’s criminal code.

The voting on the reforms was halted last week when some members of Mr Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) tried to introduce a clause making adultery a crime.