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TURKISH DEPUTY OF BUNDESTAG SAYS TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION IS NO LONGER CURRENT
14:03, 13 March, 2015
YEREVAN, 13 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Turkey's accession to the European
Union is currently not included in the European Union's agenda. This
is what Co-Chairman of the Alliance '90/The Greens Party Cem Ozdemir
said in an interview with "Armenpress". "Unfortunately, both sides have
become very detached from each other. My political party was in favor
of providing Turkey with the opportunity to join the European Union
and be treated equally, regardless of whether Turkey would fulfill the
Copenhagen criteria or not. We believe religion can't be a criterion
for accession," the Turkish deputy of the German parliament said.
Based on the political criteria for accession to the European Union,
the aspirant country is required to ensure stability of democracy,
rule of law, as well as the protection of human rights and minorities.
Cem Ozdemir also noted that Turkey also has to solve problems with
freedom of speech prior to EU accession. "Citizens of Turkey have to
be able to refer to the genocide as "genocide". The right to freedom
of speech implies diversity of opinion. It's clear that Hrant Dink
was murdered for his views and opinions and because he wanted to
change Turkey's attitude towards Armenia," he said, adding that the
opening of the border with Armenia is in Turkey's interest because
"it will be easier to negotiate with an open border, including over
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue".
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/797543/turkish-deputy-of-bundestag-says-turkey%E2%80%99s-eu-accession-is-no-longer-current.html
14:03, 13 March, 2015
YEREVAN, 13 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Turkey's accession to the European
Union is currently not included in the European Union's agenda. This
is what Co-Chairman of the Alliance '90/The Greens Party Cem Ozdemir
said in an interview with "Armenpress". "Unfortunately, both sides have
become very detached from each other. My political party was in favor
of providing Turkey with the opportunity to join the European Union
and be treated equally, regardless of whether Turkey would fulfill the
Copenhagen criteria or not. We believe religion can't be a criterion
for accession," the Turkish deputy of the German parliament said.
Based on the political criteria for accession to the European Union,
the aspirant country is required to ensure stability of democracy,
rule of law, as well as the protection of human rights and minorities.
Cem Ozdemir also noted that Turkey also has to solve problems with
freedom of speech prior to EU accession. "Citizens of Turkey have to
be able to refer to the genocide as "genocide". The right to freedom
of speech implies diversity of opinion. It's clear that Hrant Dink
was murdered for his views and opinions and because he wanted to
change Turkey's attitude towards Armenia," he said, adding that the
opening of the border with Armenia is in Turkey's interest because
"it will be easier to negotiate with an open border, including over
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue".
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/797543/turkish-deputy-of-bundestag-says-turkey%E2%80%99s-eu-accession-is-no-longer-current.html