Merkel party opposes Turkey joining EU
Iran Press TV
Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:13AM GMT
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party has once again expressed its long-standing opposition to Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) reiterated its opposition to the accession of Turkey to the bloc in its program, which was approved on Sunday, for Germany’s September 22 elections.
Meanwhile, Merkel also said in the goal of a “privileged partnership” between Turkey and the 27-nation bloc had been reworded because Ankara did not want it. The remarks came amid rising tensions between Germany and Turkey.
“You know, if you think you had a good idea but the other side keeps rejecting it, then you reach a point where you don't bring it up again. We have now realized that Turkey doesn't want it,” she said, adding that talks would however continue.
On June 18, Reuters reported that the CDU and its Bavarian sister the Christian Social Union (CSU) said in a draft program for Germany’s upcoming elections that “The country (Turkey) would overburden the European Union because of its size and the structure of its economy.”
They, however, said, “We want strong cooperation between the European Union and Turkey, as well as close strategic collaboration on foreign and security questions.”
Berlin has hardened it stance on Turkey in recent weeks due to the country's tough response to protests against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
On June 17, Merkel expressed shock at Turkish police violent crackdown on anti-government protesters, saying Ankara should respect democratic freedoms.
“What is happening in Turkey at the moment does not meet with our ideas of freedom of assembly, (or) freedom of expression. I am in any case shocked,” Merkel told German broadcaster RTL.
An unnamed EU diplomat also said that at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on June 20 Germany blocked moves to open a new chapter in Ankara's EU membership forthcoming talks.
On June 21, Turkey summoned German ambassador over Merkel's criticism of Turkish police's heavy-handed response to anti-Ankara protests and her opposition to Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.
This followed Germany's summoning of the Turkish ambassador after Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis accused Merkel of using unrest in Turkey for domestic political gains ahead of the September elections.
Turkey began EU accession negotiations back in 2005. It has not much progress largely because of French and German resistance and Turkey's tensions with Cyprus.
The unrest in Turkey erupted after police broke up a sit-in staged at Istanbul’s Taksim Square on May 31 to protest against a government plan for the redevelopment of Gezi Park.
MR/HN
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