EU tells Turkey to implement reforms

Ankara: The European Union has urged Turkey to implement reforms and to draft a new constitution that would usher in more freedoms after Turks approved sweeping changes to the constitution.

About 58 per cent voted in favour of government-proposed amendments to the constitution crafted after a 1980 military coup in a referendum on Sunday.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Monday the changes address "long-standing priorities" for Turkey's membership.

He says Turkey needs to enact laws to implement the reforms as well as a new constitution that would bring its democracy more in line with European standards.