MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Talks on Ankara's EU membership began in 2005 but have been repeatedly suspended due to various obstacles, including accusation of crackdown on opposition and constitutional reform that followed the 2016 failed coup attempt.
"The EU should support Turkey during this difficult period in the region by understanding the reasons for the fight against terrorism, by providing visa liberalization and especially by accelerating the accession process," Celik was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency.
On July 6, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Turkey, which calls on EU member states and the European Commission to immediately suspend accession negotiations with Ankara. The continuation of talks will be considered only in the event Turkish authorities make appropriate changes to the constitutional reform, which expands the president’s powers. Turkish lawmakers and top officials, including Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, have criticized the non-binding document.
