09 November 2016
"The EU commission says accession talks with Turkey to join the European Union hang in the balance following a backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental rights. The negative prognosis, issued Wednesday (9 November) in a 102-page annual report, risks stoking further tensions between the two sides." Read more...
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"The EU commission says accession talks with Turkey to join the European Union hang in the balance following a backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental rights. The negative prognosis, issued Wednesday (9 November) in a 102-page annual report, risks stoking further tensions between the two sides.
"We are gravely concerned about the degradation of the rule of law and democracy unfolding in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt. In its own interest, Turkey urgently needs to stop moving away from the EU," he said in statement.
Hahn had previously backed opening two key negotiation chapters on fundamental rights and the rule of law as part of accession negotiations. "I have to admit, today I am not quite sure if this is still possible," he told reporters in Brussels. "
Full article: Turkey backsliding on rights and rule of law, says EU (euobserver, link)
See: Turkey 2016 Report (SWD 366-16, pdf): This sets out again the measures Turkey has to put in place for the EU to consider a visa waiver system. Turkey will not consider a readmission agreement until the waiver system is in place.
"Turkey should in particular:
- continue implementing the EU-Turkey Statement of 18 March
¨ implement the EU-Turkey readmission agreement in all its provisions
- align the legislation on personal data protection with European standards and accordingly negotiate an operational cooperation agreement with Europol
¨ revise its legislation and practices on terrorism in line with the ECHR, the ECtHR case-law and the EU acquis and practices, without reducing the capacity of Turkey to fight terrorism. The proportionality principle must be observed in practice."
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