BRUSSELS,Belgium (Reuters)—European Union lawmakers called on Nov. 24 for a temporary halt to European Union (EU) membership talks with Turkey because of Ankara’s “disproportionate” reaction to July’s failed coup, although EU governments are unlikely to grasp heed. The decision is widely seen as a response to the Turkish government’s recent crackdown on political opposition and independent media. (Photo: AFP) Members of the European Parliament voted 479 to 37 in favor of a non-binding motion urging the European Commission and national governments to institute what lawmakers acknowledge would be a largely symbolic freeze in negotiations that have been going on for 11 years but have long been stalled. Neither side expects Turkey to be in a position to join the EU for very many years to arrive. “The European Parliament… strongly condemns the disproportionate repressive measures taken in Turkey since the failed military coup attempt in July, and ” the motion read,although added that it remained committed to keeping Turkey “anchored” to the EU. Austria has led calls to discontinue Turkeys membership talks. Germany, France and most other EU states for now back continued engagement and fear putting at risk Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s collaboration on migration. EU leaders are due [...]
Source: armenianweekly.com