On Wednesday, 29 May, on the occasion of the adoption of the European Commission's enlargement package (see other news), Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, said that the situation in Turkey with regard to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights has not changed, so that negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU remain at a standstill.
“In June 2018, the Council of the EU noted unanimously that Turkey’s accession negotiations have [...] effectively come to a standstill and no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing [See EUROPE 12050/19]. The underlying facts leading to this assessment still hold”, the Commissioner said at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET).
Mr Hahn nevertheless also emphasised that dialogue and cooperation in key areas of common interest have continued, in particular on migration and refugee support, and stressed that Turkey remains a key partner of the European Union.
Kati Piri (S&D, Netherlands), the European Parliament rapporteur on Turkey, announced that the Socialists and Democrats would ask the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament to send an exceptional mission to Istanbul by 23 June to monitor the situation on the ground. It also restated Parliament's wish to formally suspend discussions with Ankara (see EUROPE 12213/13). (Original version in French by intern Damien Genicot)