Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Negotiations further frozen
EU sees Turkey’s accession black
In 2005 the EU opened accession negotiations with Turkey, but the candidate’s initial vigor soon waned. The reforms are not only stalling, the country is also stepping backwards. The accession process has been on hold since 2016, and the EU has now decided that it will stay that way. However, they do not want to declare the talks to be over yet.
The EU accession negotiations with Turkey remain frozen after a unanimous decision by the Council of Ministers. “The Council notes with regret that Turkey is moving further and further away from the European Union,” said a declaration adopted in Brussels on Tuesday evening. The opening or the conclusion of further negotiation chapters could not be considered.
Specifically, the EU states criticize the fact that Turkish foreign policy is increasingly colliding with the EU’s priorities. The case of Libya is cited as an example, where government troops are said to have received illegal arms deliveries from Turkey. In addition, violations by Turkey of customs union agreements with the EU are denounced.
On the subject of democracy, human rights and fundamental rights, the Council of Ministers reiterated the known allegations. The further setbacks in these areas are deeply worrying, the statement said. This also applies to freedom of expression and the lack of independence of the judiciary. Civil society and its organizations would have to act under sustained pressure in an increasingly difficult environment.
The EU accession negotiations with Turkey, which began in 2005, have been on hold for several years because of the unsatisfactory developments in the country from Brussels’ perspective. One of the reasons that the talks have not yet finally ended is the importance of the country in the fight against illegal migration to Western Europe. It should therefore continue to benefit from EU financial aid in the future. Further EU support for refugees and host communities will be ensured in good time, says the statement on the subject.