EU Parliament Urges Suspension of Turkish Accession Talks

The European Parliament on Thursday asked for Turkey's European Union accession talks to be suspended if Ankara implements a constitutional overhaul, backed by a referendum in April, which expands the powers of President Tayyip Erdogan.
The parliament has limited influence on the issue and Turkey said on Thursday it rejected proposals that it drop its EU membership bid in favor of cooperation in other areas.

EU leaders have been critical of Erdogan and his behavior toward opponents, both before and after an abortive coup against him a year ago. But they do not want to undermine an agreement struck last year whereby Turkey effectively stopped migrants reaching Greece, easing a crisis that had threatened EU unity.

The resolution passed by the parliament on Thursday "calls on the Commission and the member states, in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, to formally suspend the accession negotiations with Turkey without delay if the constitutional reform package is implemented unchanged," Reuters reported

Erdogan's proposed constitution would greatly expand his powers, which he says is necessary to ensure stability in Turkey.
 (Tasnim)
6/7/17
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