France's head of state Emmanuel Macron currently sees no chance of progress in EU accession negotiations with Turkey. "Recent developments and decisions" in Turkey did not allow "any progress in process started," said Macron at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Paris. But it is possible to have a partnership with Turkey. Erdoğan, in turn, said that waiting for EU membership had "fatigued" turkey. "You cannot constantly ask for an entry into EU," said Turkish president.
Erdoğan's visit to France is first since failed coup a year and a half ago. Prior to his journey, Turkish president had also highlighted good relations between two countries. Cooperation is of "crucial importance for regional and international peace," Erdoğan said.
Before visit, Macron announced that he wanted to use Erdoğan for human rights and release of journalists. He also did so, said French president. He called on Turkey to respect principles of rule of law and told Erdoğan about DieAnklagen against professors and students DerGalatasaray University in Istanbul and InhaftiertenJournalisten. The academics had signed a offenenBrief of intellectuals criticizing action of State against Kurds.
Erdoğan was unimpressed by critique Underneuerte at a joint press conference his accusations of opposition. Terrorism did not get by itself, he said. Terror and terrorism have gardeners, "said head of state. These gardeners are people who are considered as thinkers. They water through ir columns in newspapers, "Erdoğan said. "And one day se people will alsTerroristen in front of you."
Turkey – an indispensable partner?Turkey's approach since coup attempt has severely affected relations between EU and Turkey. In September, Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded that accession negotiations with Turkey be aborted in Bundestag election campaign. Macron, on or hand, has so far called Turkey an "indispensable partner".
In Paris, visit Erdoğan's was accompanied by criticism and protest: French communists called Turkish head of State a dictator and his visit a provocation. Erdoğan ruthlessly went against Kurdish minority and donated havoc in country. Reporters Without Borders protested before Turkish embassy in Paris. The organization spoke of a "spiral of repression" in Turkey and called for release of detained reporters.
The human rights organization Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders had asked Macron to urge Erdoğan to release imprisoned opposition, human rights activists and journalists. Macron must make it clear "that defenders of human rights are not terrorists," amnesty shared. Last year, several activists were arrested in Turkey, including amnesty chairman Taner Kilij, who has to continue to be in court.
Erdoğan is responsible for opposition, human rights activists and journalists for coup attempt in July 2016. He sees in m followers of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who lives in exile in USA. In total, more than 55,000 people have been arrested since coup attempt, more than 140,000 have been dismissed or suspended from service. Since March 2017, time online has documented names of all journalists who sit in Turkish prisons, including world correspondent Deniz Yücel. There are currently 151 cases known.
Date Of Update: 06 January 2018, 12:03
