UN, EU urge Turkey to respect press freedom after newspaper takeover

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on Turkey to respect freedom of expression after the country's top-selling newspaper was taken over by the state, noting that critical voices should be permitted to flourish, a UNspokesman said.

Turkish authorities seized control ofZamannewspaper on Friday in a widening crackdown against supporters of U.S.-based MuslimclericFethullahGulen, an influential foe of PresidentTayyipErdogan.Zamanhas been affiliated withGulen.

The move sparked two days of protests which police dispersed using tear gas and water cannons.

• Turkish police fire tear gas for 2nd day after seizing newspaper

"The secretarygeneral is aware of developments, announced on March 4, regarding court action in relation to the Feza Media Group in Turkey," UNspokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

"He is following the situation closely."

He said Ban urged that "freedoms of expression and assembly are respected in any actions taken. Vibrant democracy and economic and social development depend on a flourishing of peaceful opinions and voices, even when they are critical."

The European Union also insisted Turkey heed the call to adhere to fundamental democratic rights and freedom of the press.

EU foreign policy chief FedericaMogherini said before a migration crisis summit withTurkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday that Turkey must "respect the highest standards when it comes to democracy, rule of law, fundamental freedoms starting from the freedom of expression."

The leaders of France and Belgium also insisted on guarantees for media freedom.

Zaman plans to continue publishing as an opposition daily in Germany after the state takeover in its home country, Suleyman Bag,the editorinchief of ZamanGermanyn, said on Monday.