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Manfred Weber: "We have to put this process on the shelf, because it blocks better relations more than it supports them."
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / picture alliance/dpa
Following the re-election of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the leader of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, has spoken out in favour of ending the EU accession process with Turkey. The last few years have shown that a close partnership is important, but "neither Turkey nor the EU" want Turkey to become a full member of the EU. The CSU politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group. "We have to put this process on the shelf, because it blocks better relations more than it supports them."
The CSU deputy leader sees the right time "for a general restart between the EU and Turkey on a realistic basis."
The expectations after Erdoğan's election victory are clear, Weber said. "We need cooperation especially when it comes to the goal of peace between Ukraine and Russia, migration policy, economic modernisation and the Cyprus issue. Erdoğan should now immediately agree to Sweden's membership in NATO."
The EU and Turkey opened accession negotiations in 2005 and 2005. However, according to the European Council, these had come to a standstill in 2018 following Turkey's backsliding on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.
kim/dpa/Reuters