The EU is to take the first step to cut financial support for Turkey
The first proposal to restrict financial support for Turkey’s preparations for full membership, depending on human rights performance has officially entered the agenda of the EU. At the “EU Leaders Summit” held last week in Brussels, the EU had reached a consensus on the provision of cutting financial assistance to Turkey within the scope of membership negotiations.
Based on news by Deutsche Welle, during the budget talks the European Parliament (EU’s legislative body) cuts in financial aid to Turkey were also discussed. EP has agreed to cut 80 million euros from aid amounting to 217 million euros for infrastructure and agriculture, in 2018.
According to this, 50 million euros will be cut from Ankara in the first stage, and 30 million euros will be cut if no progress is observed in the area of human rights which receives the major criticism from EU. The proposal to apply deductions to finance assistance to Turkey was brought to the agenda by Germany, which suffered major tensions with Turkey. The EU has commitment to pay Turkey approximately 4 billion 450 million euros between 2014 and 2020, under pre-accession financial assistance.
SOURCE: DIKEN
