For decades, the EU and Turkey have enjoyed productive relations in many areas, particularly in the area of trade and security within NATO. But in recent years, especially since the attempted coup d'état on July 15, 2016, the ties between the community and Ankara have sharply shrunk. The referendum on Turkey's constitutional changes (from parliamentary to presidential form of government), calls for the return of the death penalty (revoked in 2004), violations of human rights, freedom of speech and the rule of law compelled EU Member States and the European Union Parliament to call for a freeze on Turkish-EU membership talks that have dragged on for more than a decade. MEPs are clear that the time has come to rethink the EU's cooperation with Turkey. Since 1963, Turkey has been an associated member of the European Economic Community and in 1987 has filed accession documents. Turkey and the EU are key trading partners of the Customs Union established in 1995, which the EC proposed in December 2016 to be modernized. She was recognized as a candidate for EU membership in 1999, but the negotiations started in 2005. So far, only 16 of the 35 negotiation chapters have been opened and one is closed. In June 2016, the EU opened another negotiating chapter, but instead gave a new impetus to relations, it worsened. Following the failed coup attempt in July 2016 and the announced state of emergency in Turkey, the EU unofficially froze the talks. Visa liberalization also stalled as Ankara did not meet all criteria - a specific amendment to counter-terrorism legislation. The calls for a return to the death penalty and pressure on freedom of expression are also considered to be extremely worrying developments. Against this background, last November, the EP adopted a resolution calling for the talks to be suspended due to the repression in Turkey.
Taking into account the outcome of the recent referendum in Turkey on extending presidential powers, MEPs call on the Commission and Member States to immediately suspend formal accession negotiations with Turkey if the constitutional reform package is adopted unchanged, the resolution says. Despite the controversy, Turkey and the EU are co-operating in NATO and working together on the issue of migration after the agreement reached in March 2016. They also have stable trade relations. The European Union is the largest export market for Turkish goods - 44.5% of the country's exports are destined for the EU market. Turkey, for its part, is the fourth largest market for the EU, with 4.4% of EU exports going to Turkey. In December 2016, the European Commission proposed updating the customs union with Turkey and expanding bilateral trade relations. Following the conclusion of the negotiations, Parliament will have to approve the agreements before they enter into force.
In a resolution adopted in July, MEPs recognize the importance of good relations between the EU and Turkey and the maintenance of a constructive and open dialogue. This is essential to address common challenges such as migration, security and terrorism. MEPs support the opening of talks on the further development of the EU-Turkey customs union, calling for a clause on human rights and fundamental freedoms to be included.
Furthermore, the EP supports a fair, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the establishment of a two-community federation and two zones. MEPs expect Turkey to actively support the swift and successful conclusion of the talks and start withdrawing its troops from Cyprus.
The resolution was adopted by 477 votes in favor, 64 against, 97 abstentions. Parliament plans to send a delegation to visit Ankara in the autumn in order to relaunch the parliamentary dialogue.
At this stage, the EU and Turkey remain committed to continue negotiations for EU membership and for reforming the customs union, but at the same time Brussels will continue to advocate for the respect of universal values and rule of law.
The European Parliament has clearly stated that the EU does not intend to close the door to the friendly Turkish people but can not ignore the violations in Turkey that are contrary to the principles of the community.
An annual assessment of Turkey's reforms in 2016 says it was a difficult year for the country because of the Syrian crisis, migration wave, terrorist attacks, and attempted coup, but regrets the disproportionate action of the authorities after the shot attempt .
Early this July, MEPs called for an immediate suspension of Turkey's EU accession talks if the constitutional reform remains unchanged. MEPs are concerned about the deteriorating situation in Turkey in the areas of rule of law, human rights, freedom of the media and the fight against corruption. They strongly condemn the repeated support by the President of Turkey for the introduction of the death penalty. MEPs recall that this would call into question Turkey's membership of the Council of Europe and would lead to an immediate end to EU accession talks.
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