Turkey EU bid at risk following Council of Europe monitoring vote
ERBIL, Kurdistan (Kurdistan24) – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Tuesday voted for reinstating its monitoring of Turkey’s respect for fundamental freedoms, which concluded over 10 years ago in 2004.
The vote follows the submission of a report titled “the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey,” which called on Ankara to lift its state of emergency and release parliamentarians and journalists arrested in the wake of the failed coup in July 2016.
The report also raised concerns regarding the constitutional amendments package that was approved by referendum on April 16.
In response to the vote, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the decision which it described as “unjust” and “politically biased.”
“The decision overlooks the constructive and frank dialogue and cooperation maintained by Turkey with the Council of Europe in the aftermath of the terrorist coup attempt,” read the statement.
“Such a decision leaves no choice to Turkey but to reconsider its relations with PACE,” the report continued.
While the statement recognized difficulties in the aftermath of the coup attempt and the ongoing terrorist threats, it nevertheless cautioned against “the dangerous deterioration of the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey.”
The decision poses a direct threat to Turkey’s EU membership aspirations, as the European Union informed Ankara they would have to exit the monitoring process, which it did in 2004, for it to be eligible to join the EU.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim argued the EU is trying to distance itself from Turkey through its actions. “They don’t really want us,” he said on Tuesday.
The PM addressed stalls in negotiations between Turkey and the EU regarding the visa waiver and funding for the three million refugees Turkey is currently hosting.
“They promised three billion euros in financial support for the refugee crisis yet have only sent 790 million euros,” he claimed, noting the agreement is now a year old.
To meet the criteria, “membership requires the candidate country achieve stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities.”
Yildirim stated Turkey and its people would not accept finger pointing by the EU, adding it would only reduce the interest in or demand for the EU in Turkey.
“We invite the EU to honesty on the issue of membership first of all,” he said. “They need to determine their vision of the future first.”
With the Council of Europe’s monitoring restarted, Turkey's status now appears in jeopardy.
113 of the assembly’s lawmakers voted for the monitoring, 45 against, and 12 abstained.
Moreover, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party exressed its support for the decision.
Two other Turkish members were not present during the vote.
Reporting by G. H. Renaud
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany