European Parliament: Resolution speaks of suspension of negotiations on Turkey’s accession to EU

With 520 votes in favor, 72 against and 97 abstaining, the European Parliament approved a proposal to suspend negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the EU.

The European Union should officially suspend negotiations on Turkey’s inclusion in its ranks if Ankara does not change its behavior. This is stated in the resolution adopted on May 19 by the MEPs. The document notes that in recent years, the Turkish authorities are increasingly deviating from the EU standards and values.

“As a result, relations have reached historically low levels,” warn MEPs, who are particularly concerned about the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights. In a report adopted on Wednesday, they insist that unless Turkey reverses this current negative trend, the commission should recommend formally suspending accession negotiations, ” reported in the press service of the European Parliament.

EP MPs indicated that they are alarmed by the “authoritarian interpretation of the presidential system.” They also noted the need to release all imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, scientists and others detained by the government on unfounded charges.

“This report is probably the harshest criticism of the situation in Turkey. It reflects everything that, unfortunately, has happened in the country over the past two years, in particular in the field of human rights and the rule of law, which remain the main concern of the European Parliament, as well as in its relations with the EU and its members, ”added the rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor.

In January 2021, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking about the importance of the country’s development, called on the EU to admit Turkey to the Commonwealth after the Brexit procedure (Britain’s exit from the EU).

Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned a vote in the European Parliament earlier Wednesday, recommending a suspension of accession negotiations.

The ministry called the report “one-sided and by no means objective.”

…



Source link