EU demands that Turkey reduces violence and seek peace with Kurds

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Turkey needs to calm the growing violence in the country, seek peace with the Kurds and accept the freedoms of the press and the judiciary said on Tuesday the European Commission, which oversees Turkey's bid to join the European Union .

"The Commission hopes to see an end to the escalating violence in Turkey and around the negotiations on a lasting solution of the Kurdish issue," said Johannes Hahn, Commissioner in charge of enlargement of the EU, the European Parliament.

"Last year, significant weaknesses affected the independence of the judiciary, and freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, particularly with regard to the pressure and intimidation of journalists," said Hahn after issuance of the Commission's annual report, Turkey.