Although the report cited progress on environmental concerns and said Turkey’s economic prospects remained on solid ground despite wider recession, it also listed military interference in government and a refusal to open borders with Cyprus.

The ‘lack of dialogue and spirit of compromise between political parties is detrimental to the pursuit of reforms,’ a European Commission report said.

It cited ‘political pressure’ on the media as an example of how freedom of expression is being denied despite the Turkish criminal code no longer being used to systematically restrict freedom of expression.

Turkey last month slapped a 1.75-billion-euro fine on opposition press group Dogan, which the commission said was ‘disproportionate’ and ‘raises concerns.’

It however praised the opening of a public, 24-hour Kurdish-language channel broadcasting nationwide.

Turkey said the report was fair.

‘One can say that the report, from Turkey’s point of view, is positive and balanced,’ said Egemen Bagis, Minister in charge of relations with the European Union.

‘It would appear to be one of the most objective reports ...and one of the most encouraging for the (Turkish) government,’ he said.

The report said serious criminal charges against military officers and nationalist circles accused of belonging to a clandestine network called Ergenekon was another area of concern.

On a range of rights concerns, it said ‘some progress has been made but significant efforts are still needed.’

And it warned that despite Ankara’s stated ‘zero-tolerance’ policy, ‘allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and impunity for perpetrators are still a cause for concern.’

Regarding women, it said ‘domestic violence, honour killings and early and forced marriages remain serious problems in some areas of the country.’

It added that prison overcrowding and high numbers in pre-trial detention ‘remain to be addressed.’

And it said despite the state’s officially secular stance, ‘further efforts are needed to create an environment conducive to full respect of freedom of religion.’

While the commission praised deals between Turkey and Armenia aimed at ending decades of hostility, it expressed disappointment at Turkey’s failure to extend a customs accord to EU member Cyprus, whose Greek Cypriot government Ankara refuses to recognise.

Turkey ‘has made no progress’ over the last two years towards fully implementing the agreement and ‘has kept its ports closed.’

The trade row over Cyprus is one of the major stumbling blocs in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, which began in October 2005.

Ankara has so far opened talks only in 11 of the 35 chapters that candidates must complete, with just one only provisionally closed. Eight others have been frozen since 2006 over the customs dipute.

Turkey’s bid has also been slowed down by its sluggish pace of reform as well as opposition from EU heavyweights France and Germany which argue that it should be granted a special status instead of full membership.