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Under his leadership, Turkey has moved away from the EU: President Erdoğan
Photo: BULENT KILIC / AFP
For the time being, no change through rapprochement: the EU accession negotiations with Turkey remain frozen after a unanimous decision by the Council of Ministers.
"The Council notes with regret that Turkey is moving further and further away from the European Union," said a statement passed in Brussels on Tuesday evening.
The opening or the conclusion of further negotiation chapters could not be considered.
Specifically, the EU states criticize the fact that Turkish foreign policy is increasingly colliding with the EU's priorities.
The case of Libya is cited as an example, where government troops are said to have received illegal arms deliveries from Turkey.
In addition, violations by Turkey of customs union agreements with the EU are denounced.
On the subject of democracy, human rights and fundamental rights, the Council of Ministers reiterated the known allegations. The further setbacks in these areas are deeply worrying, the statement said. This also applies to freedom of expression and the lack of independence of the judiciary. Civil society and its organizations would have to act under sustained pressure in an increasingly difficult environment.
The EU accession negotiations with Turkey, which began in 2005, have been on hold for several years because of the unsatisfactory developments in the country from a Brussels perspective.
One of the reasons why the talks have not yet been finally concluded is the importance of the country in the fight against illegal migration to Western Europe.
It should therefore continue to benefit from EU financial aid in the future.
Further EU support for refugees and host communities will be ensured in good time, according to the statement on Tuesday.
dop / dpa