European Parliament votes to suspend Turkey membership talks

Its not binding but its intended to send a clear signal to turkey that EU membership wont happen anytime soonMEPs approved a resolution Thursday by a 479-37 margin to freeze all of Turkeys membership negotiations.Its is seen as the EUs way of showing its disapproval for the measures taken by President Erdogans Administration in response to Julys failed coup. MEPs say the freeze in negotiations will continue until these measures are stopped. Turkeys European Union Minister said this vote breaches basic european values and that Turkey will ignore it. SOUNDBITE Turkey`s European Union Affairs Minister Omer Celik (Turkish) : ” We consider this decision null and voidWe cant take it seriously because of its vision.The European Parliament is known for democratic principles and pluralism as in all EU institutitions. But unfortunately the democratic perspective disappears when the subject is Turkey. Indeed as the vote is non-binding, some EU officials say long term talks over Turkeys membership may well continue.Ankara has sought to join the bloc for the past 11 years. It has been seen as an important step to aid the country’s ailing economy. But some fear that blocking Turkey’s entry to the EU may anger Ankara into even closer ties with Russia and possibly going through with a threat of relinquishing its NATO membership


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