European Parliament Votes To Block Turkey’s Membership Talks

The European Parliament has voted to suspend the European Union (EU) membership talks of Turkey because of the country’s crackdown since a coup attempt in July, the BBC reports.

The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) asked the European Commission and 28 national governments to impose a “temporary freeze” on the talks.

However, they said that the Parliament “remains committed to keeping Turkey anchored to the EU.”

The motion was approved by 479 votes to 37, with 107 abstentions.

The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) non-binding vote has already been dismissed as “worthless” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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The Parliament’s resolution move comes at a sensitive time, with the EU being reliant on Turkey to keep up its end of an agreement on the return of migrants who have sought refuge in Europe.

EU-Turkish ties have soured after years of stop-start negotiations, which are likely to go on, though very slowly.