“Without clear and significant progress on EU-related reforms, the European Parliament cannot envision the resumption of accession talks with Turkey,” MEPs warned in a report adopted today. EP Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In a report adopted today with 54 votes in favor, 7 against and 13 abstentions, MEPs warn that despite repeated statements by Turkey on its goal of EU membership, the country has repeatedly backed down from its commitments in the last two years. accession process.
Recently, there has been a slight improvement in overall EU-Turkey relations, the report states. In particular, MEPs welcomed the recent high-level dialogues and called for the unlocking of the suspended high-level political dialogue as well as some other sectoral dialogues. However, this enhanced cooperation unfortunately coexists with regular conflicts, as relations with the EU’s neighboring Member States remain a challenge, MEPs stress.
The report notes the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Turkey. MEPs also deplore the continuing legal and administrative pressure exerted by the Turkish government on civil society and human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists. They call on the Commission to provide, through the relevant financial instruments, adequate funding for the pro-democracy efforts in Turkey.
Importance of close EU-Turkey cooperation in foreign and security policy
Welcoming Turkey’s willingness to act as a mediator in Russia’s war against Ukraine, MEPs underlined the vital importance of good EU-Turkey cooperation in foreign and security policy on current challenges, and welcomed Turkey’s firm alignment with NATO and NATO. EU.
The report commends Turkey’s efforts to continue to host the world’s largest refugee population and welcomes the continued EU funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey. MEPs express their commitment to maintaining this support in the future.
MEPs also support the Commission’s proposal to open negotiations on updating a mutually beneficial customs union, but warned that Parliament would support the final agreement on updating the Customs Union only when the necessary democratic conditions for human rights and fundamental freedoms were met. , respect for international law and good neighborly relations are fulfilled.
MEPs conclude that Parliament can not at this stage justify a change in its position on the formal suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey, which are virtually deadlocked from 2018. Openly rejecting the binding rulings of the European Court of Justice Human Rights In connection with the case of Osman Kavala and others, the current Turkish government has deliberately shattered any ambition to resume the EU accession process at this time, MEPs say.
Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor said: “The report shows a stark contrast between a relative improvement in EU-Turkey relations in recent months and a catastrophic situation in fundamental rights and the rule of law that continues to deteriorate, as evidenced by the recent ruling. for the case of Kavala. “Turkey’s position on critical geopolitical issues can not be an alibi for the further deepening of the authoritarian tendency in the country.”
Following the vote by the Commission, the report will be put to the vote at one of the next plenary sessions.
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