Turkey: Unfair obstacles slow EU bid

President Abdullah Gul said Turkey was doing all it could to press on with European Union entry negotiations but progress was being blocked by artificial and unfair obstacles.

The EU Commission will issue on Tuesday a progress report that will criticize Turkey for failing to revive key reforms. Turkish officials say some EU countries are using an impasse over Cyprus - an EU member that Turkey has refused to recognize - to stall the membership bid. Another outstanding problem is Ankara's failure to do more to protect media freedom. (Reuters)