EP's socialists express support for progress in Turkey's EU talks

BRUSSELS (A.A) - February 7, 2012 - Socialist lawmakers of the European Parliament on Tuesday called for opening of more policy chapters in Turkey's membership talks. "Negotiations with Turkey demands a new beginning in chapters in energy and justice. We need to strengthen our alliance with Turkey, which is an important country in a very hard region," EP's second largest political group said in a statement released after a meeting between Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis and Hannes Swoboda, head of the socialist group.    The statement said Swoboda conveyed socialist lawmakers' expectations from Turkey to strengthen rule of law and their support for the opening of policy chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedoms and security.  EP president, Martin Schulz, also released a statement after his meeting with Bagis, saying that Turkey played a vital role in resolving the crisis in Syria.