(zaman) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by two government ministers, held a meeting with representatives of major trade unions and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to exchange views on how the much-debated Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) could be changed.
The gathering held at the PM's Office at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace on Sunday came just days before the European Commission is set to unveil its Progress Report on Turkey, in which the EU is expected to severely criticize Ankara on freedoms of expression, in particular the notorious Article 301.
Erdogan said that they were ready to consider any proposals to make Article 301 more concrete if problems exist stemming from ambiguity in the controversial article. Noting that the article complies with EU legislation, Erdogan; however, admitted that some problems were experienced in practice, reports Trend.
Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which specifies penalties for insulting the Turkish state, its officials or 'Turkishness,' has been used to bring charges against many well-known journalists, publishers and scholars.
High-ranking EU officials have urged the Turkish government that Article 301 could have negative effects on Turkey's EU bid unless it is amended or abolished. Article 301 will most likely be a key point in the upcoming EU progress report on Turkey.