(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission told EU-hopeful Turkey on Tuesday that it needed to relaunch its political reform programme after "limited progress" this year.

"Now is the time for Turkey to regenerate the momentum of the reform process," said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, presenting the EU executive arm's annual report on Turkey's progress along the path to European Union membership.

"It is time that the government put constitutional reform at the top of its agenda, but this should not result in postponement of reforms that are urgently needed such as the freedom of expression and religion," Rehn added.

"Significant further efforts" are needed, the report said, citing in particular freedom of expression, civilian control of the military and the rights of non-Muslim religious communities.

The Commission also highlighted the need to boost the fight against corruption, reform the judiciary and improve the rights of women, children and trade unions.

But Rehn also urged the EU to respect its own engagements toward Turkey.

"Conditionality is the keystone, but it only functions if the EU respects its own engagements regarding the perspective of adhesion. Without that, we can always demand reforms of course, but it will be like talking to a wall," he said.

France leads the opposition among several EU states to full Turkish membership, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy calling instead for a close partnership agreement.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday accused the EU of putting "political barriers" against its adhesion.

But Tuesday, Turkey swiftly pledged a fresh reform drive to catch up with European Union norms.

"Our commitment to completing our shortcomings and efficiently implementing the reforms on the ground is not decreasing -- on the contrary it is increasing," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

However Ankara stressed its accession process should not be "shaped in line with the preferences of the political leaders of some member states" or "reduced" to the implementation of a customs union pact calling for trade privileges for Cyprus, which it does not recognize.

On the positive side, the EU report noted that Turkey held a presidential election "in accordance with constitutional rules" and legislative polls "in full respect of democratic standards and of the rule of law".

In the presidential vote, Abdullah Gul, a politician with Islamist roots, was elected in the face of opposition from the army.

"In Turkey democracy prevailed over political crisis," said Rehn.

He urged Ankara to avoid "any disproportionate action" in dealing with attacks by Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

In the southeast of the country, "Turkey needs also to create the conditions for the predominantly Kurdish population there to enjoy full rights and freedoms," the report said.

Turkey's progress towards EU membership has been significantly slower than that of fellow EU-hopeful Croatia since both began formal accession talks in October 2005.

So far, four of the 35 negotiating chapters which Turkey must successfully complete have been opened, and only one closed.

That figure pales next to the 14 chapters opened with Croatia, which Rehn said was moving at "cruising speed" and is expected to join the bloc significantly earlier than Turkey which can expect at least another 10 years of negotiations.

Ankara's candidature is also hampered by its enduring refusal to trade freely with EU member Cyprus.

Turkey does not recognise the Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia and refuses to fully open its ports and airports to the island EU member.

On the question of freedom of speech, the European Commission has long called for revisions of article 301 of Turkey's penal code under which dozens of intellectuals have been prosecuted for smirching Turkey's "identity".

"The infamous article 301... must be repealed or amended without delay," said Rehn, adding that opening the accession chapter on the judiciary and fundamental rights depended upon such a move.

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