The European Commission will present today its annual report on Turkey’s progress on EU membership. Commenting ahead of the report, Rebecca Harms said:
"The EU and its Member States must strongly condemn the recent arrests and call on the Turkish government to restore human rights and the rule of law."
"Accession negotiations with Turkey must be put on hold for as long as the regime continues to flout fundamental rights. This would be consistent with what was agreed by Member States in the 2005 principles governing the negotiations with Turkey."
"It is also clear that visa liberalisation will be impossible so long as the Turkish government fails to respect the necessary conditions."
