MEPs stressed, on Tuesday 7 June, in adopting the report by Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, Spain) by 448 votes to 67 with 107 abstentions, that Turkey has consistently reneged on its commitments to the accession process, despite its repeated statements on the objective of EU membership.
While highlighting a “slight improvement” in overall EU-Turkey relations, such as the recent high-level dialogues, the European Parliament recalls that relations with neighbouring Member States, notably Greece and Cyprus, remain difficult.
Moreover, the human rights situation in the country continues to deteriorate, say MEPs, who also highlight the pressure on civil society and human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists and the attacks on opposition parties. “The crucial issue of fundamental rights and freedoms, which is at the heart of the accession process, cannot be dissociated and isolated from the overall relationship with the Union”, warn the MEPs, who reiterated the Parliament’s position on the formal suspension of the accession negotiations.
While supporting the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations to update the customs union, the European Parliament explains that it will only support the final agreement when the necessary democratic conditions regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for international law and good neighbourly relations are met. It also calls on the EU Council to re-establish the high-level political dialogue, several high-level sectoral dialogues and the Association Council, linked to improvements in the situation of fundamental freedoms and the Rule of law.
The European Parliament encourages Turkey to take the necessary steps to meet all the criteria for visa liberalisation.
It calls, as well, on the Turkish government to deal in good faith with Finland’s and Sweden’s applications for NATO membership.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/1ym (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)