EU decision on Turkey: Negotiations will remain frozen

The Council of Europe has decided that membership negotiations with Turkey should remain frozen. At the preparatory meeting for the European Union (EU) leaders’ summit at the end of the year, it was decided that the negotiations on full membership with Turkey should remain frozen. “The Council of the EU notes with regret that Turkey is increasingly moving away from the EU” the decision taken at the EU General Affairs Council said.

The resolution also stated that there was no question of opening a new chapter in the negotiations or closing an existing one.

TURKEY’S FOREIGN POLICY IS ALSO ON THE AGENDA

It was emphasized that Turkey was increasingly moving away from the EU line in foreign policy and was in conflict with the EU’s priorities in this regard and the example of Libya was given in the decision. It was explained that illegal arms shipments had been made from Turkey to government forces in Libya.

The resolution, which condemned Turkey’s violation of the Customs Union agreement with the EU, also criticized human rights violations in Turkey.

The resolution noted that the setbacks in human rights, democracy and fundamental rights, as well as freedom of thought and judicial independence, caused “deep concern”. It was noted that non-governmental organizations continued to work under pressure in an increasingly difficult environment for society.