MEPs Decide on Suspension of Accession Negotiations With Turkey

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The report suggesting to suspend negotiation talks between Turkey and the European Union regarding the EU-accession process has been approved by the Members of the European Parliament with 477 approving and 64 rejecting votes.

The Members of the European Parliament voted today (June 6) on the Turkey proposal which had been discussed yesterday. 638 members participated in the voting, 477 voted in favor and 64 others voted against the suspension of the accession negotiations.

The decision of the Parliament is not binding.

Call by Rapporteur Kati Piri

The proposal prepared by the Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri suggests that "Turkey's EU accession talks should be officially and immediately be suspended if proposed changes to the constitution go ahead.

"If Turkey would reintroduce the death penalty again, if they bring this constitutional package into force, there can be no other consequence than to stop talking about integrating Turkey into the EU. That doesn't mean we should stop all forms of cooperation.

"The impact of suspending talks in terms of finances would be several hundred million euros a year, which go with pre-accession funds to Turkey. The Parliament asks that if the suspension comes into force to use this money to directly fund civil society in Turkey. But of course politically, if we come to that point, this will mean that 60 years of Turkey trying to move closer to Europe is coming to a drastic end", Piri added. (YY/DG)