ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – The European Parliament has advised the European Union to freeze accession talks with Turkey amid growing concerns over the country’s human rights and democracy. Turkey rejected Thursday’s move, calling it an attempt to “sabotage” relations with the EU.
The legislature voted 477-64 with 97 abstentions to approve a non-binding report recommending the suspension of the negotiations in the wake Turkey’s referendum in April that approved constitutional amendments to give the president sweeping new powers.
The parliament called on the EU’s 28 states to formally suspend the talks “without delay” if the constitutional reforms are implemented without change in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said what mattered was the opinion of EU leaders and that there was no change in Turkey’s aim for EU membership.
“The EU should determine its vision for its future and decide whether or not it will walk with Turkey,” he said.