Premier to focus on drive to enter EU

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan laid out a policy vision for the next five years that focuses on pursuing membership in the European Union and defending the nation’s secular and democratic principles.

Erdogan, who won a second term in July elections, also said in his speech to parliament that the government would press ahead with economic and judicial reforms, overhaul the constitution and establish “zero tolerance” for torture.

His speech made no mention of any measures to lift a ban on Islamic-style head scarves in schools and government offices, a polarizing issue.