Turkey is the gateway to Europe for hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war zones and as such an essential partner for the EU to help tackle the refugee crisis. Following Sunday’s elections in Turkey, the EP News site talked to Greek EPP member Manolis Kefalogiannis, chair of the delegation to the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee, about the need for an agreement on migration between the EU and Turkey, the country’s human rights situation as well as its progress towards joining the EU.

How do you see the result of the elections in Turkey? Will it help or hinder its progress towards the EU?

We want a Turkey that is a factor of stability in the region, because as a major regional power, it is an important partner for the EU and the EU is the most important partner for Turkey.

Also, we have the significant issue of migration. The migration flows from war zones, such as Syria, Iraq and even Afghanistan, have Turkey and Greece as a gateway to Europe. We want a cooperation that will ensure the rights of these unfortunate people. We want Europe to be a place that will certainly welcome those people, but at the same time we want Europe to be a safe place for Europeans.

Can there be a deal with Turkey on migration? How can Europe deal with its south eastern borders?

There must be an agreement. There are already 2.5 million refugees in Turkey, one million refugees wandering in Turkey and 500,000 – which only over the last six months – have crossed over to the islands of the Eastern Aegean in Greece and Europe. So it’s a significant problem for Europe. Europe has to prove here its capacity. It would be unfortunate, if such an organisation doesn’t find solutions for major issues. We need an agreement with Turkey, but of course the country has to respect the principles and the values of the EU. But when it comes to migration there are opportunities to create mutual trust and even the conditions that will help Turkey join the EU.

What is the situation of human rights and the freedom of the media in Turkey?

There are issues with freedom in Turkey. If you read the European Parliament’s latest report, you’ll find out all about the problems that exist in Turkey. That’s the reason why we haven’t open the chapters for Turkey’s accession process to the EU. We emphasised that at every level, in every way and by all means, to the leadership of all parties and especially to the ruling party and to President Erdogan.

Turkey should take steps to modernise. It’s not Europe that will change for Turkey. Turkey has to streamline its political system, through its behaviour towards the freedom of the press, minorities, human rights, minority rights and religious freedom.

Steps are being taken, but Turkey has a lot more to do.

In which phase is the negotiation process for Turkey to join the EU? What is the Parliament’s position on it?

There is great criticism from all of the Parliament’s parties, especially from democratic parties, on Turkey’s stance on international issues. For example, respect of human rights, respect of international law, the law of the sea. There is also a lot of criticism about the policies and behaviour of the administration and also about Turkey’s political leadership. But this doesn’t mean that we don’t want Turkey to be a country that is oriented towards the EU. We want it to be a stable and secure country.