EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to abide by European democratic standards yesterday as Germany and Italy warned a violent crackdown on protesters could harm Turkey's bid for membership of the bloc.

Delivering her first public statement on Turkey's troubles in a speech to the European Parliament, Ashton said that Erdogan's response with protesters must be "engagement not antagonism."

"This is an important moment for Turkey. A chance for it to renew its commitment to European values," she said. "I am convinced it can meet this challenge."

Recalling that EU ministers are to decide this month whether to open a new chapter for the first time in several years in Ankara's stalled bid for membership, Ashton said: "Turkey as a candidate country needs to aspire to the highest possible democratic practices".

Of the 35 so-called policy chapters EU candidates must negotiate, Turkey has opened talks on only 13.
The European Union must not pull back from Turkey despite concerns over Erdogan's handling of the protests, Ashton said.

"This is not the moment to disengage from Turkey but to engage more closely. And for Turkey to engage more closely with the EU too."

In Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that images of demonstrators being chased down by riot police in Istanbul were "disturbing" and sent the "wrong message" to EU nations.

"The Turkish government is sending the wrong message to the country and to Europe with its response to date to the protests," he said, adding that Ankara must do "all in its power" to protect democratic rights.
"We expect Prime Minister Erdogan to de-escalate the situation in the spirit of European values and initiate constructive communication and peaceful dialogue."

A German foreign ministry source meanwhile said it was unlikely Turkey's EU talks could enter the next stage soon.

"That will probably not be possible," the source said, adding that there were still "considerable doubts".

Ashton had harsh words for the use by Turkish police over the past two weeks of tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray and plastic bullets against protesters who have been "overwhelmingly peaceful".

"Excessive use of force by members of the police against peaceful demonstrators must be swiftly and thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable", she said.