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Macron says there is currently no chance of Turkey's EU bid progressing

French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Turkish counterpart that there is currently no chan...
Newstalk
Newstalk

21.12 5 Jan 2018


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Macron says there is currently...

Macron says there is currently no chance of Turkey's EU bid progressing

Newstalk
Newstalk

21.12 5 Jan 2018


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French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Turkish counterpart that there is currently no chance of Turkey becoming a member of the European Union.

Mr Macron was speaking during a joint news conference with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Paris.

Turkey first submitted its EU - then EEC - accession application in 1987, but the two parties remain divided on several fronts, including human rights issues.

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Progress halted in the wake of the failed coup in Turkey in 2016.

The attempted coup prompted a crackdown by Erdogan's government, which has seen the firing of tens of thousands of public servants and the arrests of journalists.

Last year, a referendum also granted Mr Erdogan sweeping new powers - further straining his country's relationship with the EU.

In November, the EU Parliament voted to cut funding to Turkey - raising concerns over a "deteriorating situation in relation to democracy, rule of law and human rights".

In comments quoted by AFP, Mr Macron observed: "As for relations with the European Union, it is clear that recent developments and choices do not allow progress in the process.

"I'd be lying if I said we could open new chapters."

However, the French leader also stressed the need for a close relationship between the EU and Turkey, suggesting a 'partnership' instead of full membership.

Mr Erdogan said the EU membership process has been 'exhausting' for Turkey, saying: "Maybe this will force us to take a decision.

"Turkey has been waiting in the EU antechamber for 54 years. When it comes to saying why, the EU is not really capable of giving reasons."


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