STRASBOURG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Union should formally suspend accession talks with Turkey, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) recommended in a resolution adopted Thursday, if Ankara implements without change a series of proposed constitutional reforms which would conflict with the bloc's membership criteria.
The resolution, adopted by an overwhelming majority of 477 to 64, with 97 abstentions, expresses concerns about Turkey's proposed constitutional reforms which were approved in a controversial referendum held on April 16 with 51.41 percent in favor to 48.59 percent against. In their current form, the constitutional reforms would transform Turkey into a presidential republic, but MEPs are worried that they would also erode the separation of powers. They are also worried it would not adequately provide for a system of checks and balances between branches of government, concentrating too much power in the presidency.
The text also criticized repeated statements from Turkish President Recep Erdogan in favor of reintroducing capital punishment. Such a move which would put in jeopardy Turkey's membership in the Council of Europe, a pan-European organization that includes the European Court of Human Rights and to which Ankara is one of six highest-level budgetary contributors. It would also bring about an immediate end to EU accession talks.
"It is clear that co-operation is needed with Turkey, but if the new constitution is implemented in a way that runs contrary to EU democratic standards, accession talks with the current Turkish government must be ended," said Kati Piri (Netherlands, Socialists & Democrats), the Parliament's rapporteur for the resolution, in a statement.
"The constitutional changes are incompatible with the Copenhagen Criteria which is the non-negotiable basis for membership of the European Union (EU). We consequently call to formally suspend -- which de facto means the end of -- accession negotiations if the constitutional reform package is implemented unchanged. The pre-accession funds should also be stopped simultaneously," said Renate Sommer (Germany), standing rapporteur on Turkey for the European People's Party, in a press release.
MEPs acknowledged the extraordinary difficulties faced by Turkey in 2016, including heavy flows of refugees from neighboring Syria and an attempted coup-d'etat last July, but criticized the measures undertaken in the state of emergency that has been in place since.
The importance of strong EU-Turkey relations remained clear to MEPs, however, especially in the fight against terrorism and in facing migration challenges. The benefits of the EU-Turkey agreement of 2016 that helped stem migratory flows in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, have been noted, and upgrading the EU-Turkey Customs Union was judged favorably by the parliamentarians.
These bilateral ties should only be maintained or developed, MEPs said, on the condition of agreements on rights issues and governance.
"We need to work together in the future and ensure that the report, which is submitted to votes, calls for the deepening of EU-Turkey relations in key areas of joint interest. The best idea would be to improve the customs union. But that is not a low-hanging fruit either," said Sommer.
Bodil Valero of Sweden said on behalf of the European Greens/European Free Alliance in a statement: "We cannot cooperate on terrorism with a country whose own laws can impact on anyone whose views differ from those of the president. The EU-Turkey migration deal has to end."
Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik was reported in Turkish media to have told journalists in Ankara, after the European Parliament's vote, that the body had "no right to make such a call" and called on MEPs to "respect the will of the Turkish people."
Turkish transport minister Ahmet Arslan was also reported by state-run Anadolu press agency to have confirmed Thursday that Ankara would continue working with the EU on transport policy despite the European Parliament's vote.
Accession talks for Turkey to join the EU began in 2005. Ankara undertook negotiations on wide-ranging reforms necessary before it could formally join the bloc. Talks have been stymied, however, since 2007 over disputes related to Cyprus, which has been partially occupied by Turkey since 1974.
The European Parliament's non-binding resolution will be sent as a recommendation to the European Commission and the heads of EU member states. MEPs are also planning to send an ad-hoc delegation to Ankara in the autumn with the goal of relaunching parliamentary dialogue.
