PM: Chapter 24 should open only on condition that Turkey recognises all EU States

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, called on Thursday, for the opening of negotiations on Chapter 24 with Turkey, on condition that Turkey recognises all member states of the EU, Cypriot news portal Gold News reported.

Dr Muscat was addressing a Centre for European Policy Studies audience on ideas for the future of Europe. He admittedly came up with the idea, after a meeting with Turkish PM Yildirim over the weekend.

Dr Muscat explained that, “if we are so concerned, and I would add that we are justified to be so, why not engage in meaningful discussions on Turkey adopting the European acquis in this area”, stressing that, “there is an essential pre-requisite that needs to be satisfied from the Turkish side, that is the recognition of all Member States”.

More specifically, Prime Minister Muscat said: “We all know that the situation in Turkey is delicate, to say the least. On one hand, the Turkish government could not stand still in the face of an attempted coup. On the other hand, part of the reaction has now become heavy handed.

“I am a strong believer that faced with all this, the European Union should engage even more with Turkey. A few days ago I had the Turkish Prime Minister as my guest. When I put forward the point of human rights and freedom of expression, he retorted that if the EU is so worried about this, we should then agree to open the chapter dealing with justice, freedom and security.

“You know what, I think he is right. If we are so concerned, and I would add that we are justified to be so, why not engage in meaningful discussions on Turkey adopting the European acquis in this area.

“Needless to say, there is an essential pre-requisite that needs to be satisfied from the Turkish side, that is the recognition of all Member States. So, it takes two to tango, but we need to be brave to achieve progress”.