Turkey said today it is "fully determined" to pursue its bid to join the European Union after the European Commission urged Ankara to speed up reforms.
"Turkey's full membership of the European Union is our basic strategic goal. Our country will continue to fulfill its obligations on the EU process," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Earlier today, the European Commission said Croatia could wrap up entry talks with the European Union next year if it steps up preparations, but other would-be members including Turkey have a lot more to do.
The Commission declared Turkey a functioning market economy, a crucial step for eventual EU membership, but it also said reforms had stalled due to a political crisis linked to a constitutional case against the governing party.
During a trip to Rome, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told reporters Ankara thought some of the EU criticisms were unfair but said it was preparing a detailed reaction next week.
Turkey started EU entry talks in 2005, along with Croatia, but they stalled, partly over its refusal to normalise relations with EU member Cyprus.
Croatia needs to step up its fight against organised crime and corruption after a wave of mafia-style violence, overhaul its subsidised shipyard and steel industries and improve management of EU funds, the Commission said.
There is little appetite for further enlargement among EU member states, which have the final say, following the costly expansion to take in 12, mostly ex-communist countries from central and eastern Europe.
France and Germany say that before enlarging, the EU should revive its stalled Lisbon treaty, meant to prepare the union's institutions for more members.
Ireland rejected the treaty in a referendum this year, although Taoiseach Brian Cowen is expected to present ideas in December on how Ireland might pass the charter nevertheless.
Reuters