Introducing the Enlargement Package 2013 European Commissioner for Enlargement & Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle, dedicated a good portion of his speech to Turkey, as expected. He stressed that Turkey is "a strategic partner for the European Union considering the size of its economy and its important role in foreign policy and energy security".

Füle also added that "The positive agenda launched in 2012 continues to support and complement accession negotiations. There has been progress in judicial reforms and the government has started an historic peace process paving the way to a solution to the Kurdish issue".

The commissioner dedicated part of his speech to the protests in May/June in Gezi Park, in Istanbul, and aknoledged that "the excessive use of force by police and the overall absence of dialogue have raised serious concerns. Investigations into the police conduct need to be completed and those responsible brought to account".

As to reaction shown by the European Unions to the events in Gezi Park, the commissioner said: I have heard the voices who said that the right response of the European Union to events in Gezi Park should be for the Union to disengage. But the message of the package adopted today is different: the European Union needs to step up its engagement and continue to support Turkey and Turkish citizens in fulfilling their legitimate expectations of further reforms that can strengthen freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly".

As to the democratisation package presented in September 2013 by the AKP government, the commissioner said it "holds out the prospect of progress on a range of issues, including the use of languages other than Turkish and minority rights. As I have stated in this house before: the full potential of our relationship with Turkey is best fulfilled within an active and credible accession process where the European Union remains the benchmark for reforms".

As regards the Cyprus issue, the Commission expects "the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to resume fully-fledged negotiations on a comprehensive settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. We encourage all parties to do everything possible to establish a positive climate between the communities. The Commission stands ready to further strengthen its support for this process should the two parties request it and the UN agree".