The EU's enlargement chief welcomed the approval of constitutional reforms in a referendum in Turkey as a ‘step in the right direction’ in its efforts to join the bloc, but pressed Ankara for more change.
The Turkish government says the reform package will strengthen the nation's democracy and bolster its bid to join the European Union.
The country's EU accession negotiations have moved slowly since they began five years ago, in part because of concerns in the EU over Turkey's human rights record and insufficient democratic reforms.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said in a statement the referendum victory ‘demonstrates the continued commitment of Turkish citizens to reforms in view of enhancing their rights and freedoms’.
But Mr Fuele also pressed Ankara to introduce laws to ensure the implementation of constitutional changes.
The EU Commission had accused the government of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan of stifling political debate before the referendum that had provoked strong domestic opposition.
Critics in Turkey have said the reforms amounted to an attempt by Erdogan to gain control over the judiciary.
Even if democratic reforms progress well in Turkey, Ankara will also have to overcome reluctance among some EU governments, notably France and Germany, to allow it to join.
It will also have to patch up relations with Cyprus which has blocked talks on some of the negotiation areas Turkey needs to clear before joining, because of a dispute over the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration in the north of the island.
The reform package includes 26 articles. Most are seen as progressive and uncontroversial, including one that would make the military more answerable to civilian courts.
But proposed changes to the make-up of the Constitutional Court, and the High Board of Judges and Prosecutors, a state body charged with appointing magistrates, raise concerns over the future independence of the judiciary.
The executive European Commission has backed Ankara's attempt to reorganise the judiciary, but accused the government on Tuesday of stifling public debate over the proposals.
Since winning power in 2002, AK has overseen a period of record economic growth and relative stability in a country with a history of financial mismanagement and political upheaval.
It has also reoriented the NATO member's foreign policy, deepening ties with Iran, Syria and Iraq while criticising Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.
Investors are looking at the referendum result for any clue to Mr Erdogan's chances of forming a single-party government for a third consecutive term after an election due by July next year.
