Germany says EU should not freeze accession talks with Turkey

The European Union should not freeze Turkey’s negotiations to join the bloc, Germany’s foreign ministry said today, a day after members of the European Parliament voted in a non-binding motion in support of such a freeze.

Reuters reported that the German foreign ministry spokesperson, Sawsan Chebli, said: “It is important that we keep talking.”

“It is important that we do not freeze the accession negotiations because that would only further damage the relationship between Turkey and Europe, and that would not be in the interest of Turkey or of Europe,” she added.

EU lawmakers voted yesterday to temporarily halt Turkey’s accession talks because of what they believe is Ankara’s “disproportionate” reaction to July’s failed coup.

Members of the European Parliament voted 479 to 37 in favour of the non-binding motion urging the European Commission and national governments to implement what lawmakers acknowledge would be a largely symbolic freeze in negotiations that have been going on for 11 years but have long been stalled.

In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned today that Turkey could open its gates for migrants to Europe if pushed into a corner by the EU.

Under a deal clinched in March, Turkey has agreed to take back illegal migrants and refugees leaving its shores for Greece in return for aid and visa-free travel for Turks in Europe. The deal has slashed the number of migrants reaching the EU, yet Turkey says the EU has not upheld its end of the deal.

Chebli said the deal remained in the interest of both sides, despite Turkish misgivings.

“If one looks at the facts, then it is the case that both sides are sticking to the agreement and we hope that remains the case as it is in the interests of both sides,” she said.