Debate at the plenary session on Turkey’s accession to the European Union – Freeze EU accession talks with Turkey, urge MEPs

The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on 22 November 2016 on the state of relations between the European Union and Turkey, and the country's EU membership aspirations. The debate was joined by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy and the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy.

Members of the Parliament defended the imposition of a temporary freeze of EU accession talks with Turkey while keeping the door for dialogue open - unless Turkey reintroduces capital punishment.

MEPs also condemned the disproportionately repressive measures taken in Turkey since the failed military take-over in July 2016.

The European Commission and member states should impose a temporary freeze on EU accession talks with Turkey, urged a majority of political group leaders and MEPs in the debate. But the door for dialogue should remain open, unless Turkey introduced capital punishment, some added.

A non-binding resolution was put to a vote on the 24 November 2016. It was approved by 479 votes to 37, with 107 abstentions.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU-Turkey relations after July 15: Turning the page http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-turkey-relations-after-july-15-turning-the-page/

ESO: Background information: EU-Turkey High Level Political Dialogue, 9 September 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/remarks-by-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-following-the-eu-turkey-high-level-political-dialogue/

Balkan Insight, 21.11.16: Turkey’s Relentless Crackdown Tests EU’s Patience http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/turkey-s-relentless-crackdown-tests-eu-s-patience-11-18-2016

Anadolu Agency, 23.11.16: Turkey's right to try coup plotters 'legitimate': EU http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkeys-right-to-try-coup-plotters-legitimate-eu/691151

EurActiv, 23.11.16: [Opinion] Scrapping Turkey accession talks now will only make things worse http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/opinion/scrapping-turkey-accession-talks-now-will-only-make-things-worse/

Anadolu Agency, 23.11.16: EU vote on Turkish membership 'has no value': Erdogan http://aa.com.tr/en/economy/eu-vote-on-turkish-membership-has-no-value-erdogan/691331

BBC News, 22.11.16: Turkey and the EU: The end of the affair? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38055357

Euronews, 22.11.16: EU leaders call for halt to Turkey membership talks http://www.euronews.com/2016/11/22/leaders-of-european-parliament-s-two-largest-groups-call-for-halt-to-membership-talks-with-turkey-in-wake-of-post-coup-purges

Deutsche Welle, 22.11.16: EU lawmakers urge suspension of Turkey membership talks http://dw.com/p/2T5qU

EU: EEAS: Speech, 22.11.16: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on EU-Turkey relations at the plenary session of the European Parliament https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/15566/

EurActiv, 23.11.16: Erdogan says European Parliament vote has ‘no value’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/erdogan-says-european-parliament-vote-has-no-value/

EurActiv, 23.11.16: MEPs urge freezing Turkey membership talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/meps-urge-freezing-turkey-membership-talks/

Deutsche Welle, 23.11.16: European Parliament draws a line in the Bosporus http://dw.com/p/2T7zo

Politico, 23.11.16: Loud calls in Parliament for ending EU membership talks with Turkey http://www.politico.eu/article/loud-calls-in-parliament-for-ending-eu-membership-talks-with-turkey/

EUObserver 23.11.16: MEPs intensify push to halt Turkey talks https://euobserver.com/enlargement/136003

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Hürriyet Daily News, 23.11.16: European Parliament’s vote on freezing membership talks has no value for Turkey: Erdoğan http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/european-parliaments-vote-on-freezing-membership-talks-has-no-value-for-turkey-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106449&NewsCatID=510

ESO: Background information: Turkey was once a free society. Now the country is rapidly destroying itselfTurkey was once a free society. Now the country is rapidly destroying itself http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-was-once-a-free-society-now-the-country-is-rapidly-destroying-itself/

Euro|Topics: Debates, November 2016: EU Parliament losing patience with Turkey http://www.eurotopics.net/en/170104/eu-parliament-losing-patience-with-turkey

European Parliament: Press Release, 24.11.16: Freeze EU accession talks with Turkey until it halts repression, urge MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161117IPR51549/

Hürriyet Daily News, 24.11.16: European Parliament approves motion to temporarily freze acccession talks with Turkey http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/european-parliament-approves-motion-to-temporarily-freze-acccession-talks-with-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106514&NewsCatID=351

EurActiv, 29.11.16: Turkey slams EU vote as ‘most unjust in history’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/turkey-slams-eu-vote-as-most-unjust-in-history/

EurActiv, 02.12.16: Dutch join push for EU-Turkey accession talks freeze http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/dutch-join-push-for-eu-turkey-accession-talks-freeze/

Social Europe, 12.12.16: Why EU-Turkey Accession Negotiations Should Be Suspended https://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/12/eu-turkey-accession-negotiations-suspended/

Deutsche Welle, 12.12.16: Austria threatens to block Turkish accession http://dw.com/p/2UAb2

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