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Ankara accuses the European Parliament of a “shallow and non-insightful approach”, referring to “biased and unrealistic assessments” in its damning report on Turkey’s accession process, which was overwhelmingly voted today.
“Our primary expectation from the European Parliament is not to become a tool in a narrow-minded agenda and to show an encouraging attitude towards the EU institutions in order to revive the accession negotiation process. Unfortunately, the European Parliament has so far taken the opposite stance”, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It accused the European Parliament of “tolerating even members of ‘terrorist organizations’ to nest in the EP and make terrorist propaganda”, saying that “it has lost its credibility”.
“Therefore, the unfounded views in the report on democracy, the rule of law and human rights regarding our country and the narrow-minded efforts of one or two EU members on the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue are useless to us”.
The report harshly criticizes both Ankara’s performance on human rights and the rule of law, as well as Turkey’s provocations against Greece and Cyprus.
In particular, MEPs regret the recent statements by Turkish officials questioning Greek sovereignty on some islands.
Through 54 sub-points of criticism and remarks, the report points out that Ankara’s accession process continues to slide, with democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights falling behind.
