EP threatens suspension of membership talks with Turkey

BRUSSELS, July 6 (KUNA) -- Turkey's EU membership talks should be suspended if proposed changes to the constitution in Turkey go ahead, as these go against EU membership criteria, warned the European Parliament in a resolution Thursday.
The resolution adopted by 477 votes to 64 noted the outcome of Turkey's recent referendum and the expansion of presidential powers, and called on the European Commission and the EU member states" to formally suspend the accession negotiations with Turkey without delay if the constitutional reform package is implemented unchanged." The resolution condemned "the repeatedly declared support for the reintroduction of the death penalty by the Turkish President", which would lead to an immediate end of EU accession talks.
The EP also noted in its annual assessment of Turkey's reform progress that 2016 was a difficult year for Turkey as a result of the war in Syria, the influx of refugees, a string of heinous terror attacks and a coup attempt.
The EP condemned the coup attempt and expressed solidarity with the people of Turkey, but at the same time regret the Turkish government's disproportionate response, resulting in large-scale dismissal of civil servants, the closing of media outlets, the arrest of journalists, judges and human rights defenders, and the closure of schools and universities.
The resolution also recognised the importance of good EU-Turkey relations and maintaining a constructive and open dialogue, which is key to addressing common challenges, such as migration, security and terrorism. (end) nk.sd