EU lawmakers urge halt to Turkey membership talks over reaction to failed coup

EU lawmakers called on Thursday for a temporary halt to EU membership talks with Turkey because of Ankara’s “disproportionate” reaction to July’s failed coup, although EU governments are unlikely to take heed.

Members of the European Parliament voted 479 to 37 in favor of a nonbinding motion urging the European Commission and national governments to institute what lawmakers acknowledge would be a largely symbolic freeze in negotiations.

Neither side expects Turkey to be in a position to join the EU for very many years to come.“The European Parliament ... strongly condemns the disproportionate repressive measures taken in Turkey since the failed military coup attempt in July,” the motion read, although added that it remained committed to keeping Turkey “anchored” to the EU.

Austria has led calls to stop Turkey’s membership talks. Germany, France and most other EU states for now back continued engagement and fear putting at risk Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s collaboration on migration.

EU leaders are due to discuss Turkey again when they meet in Brussels at a regular summit on December 15- 16.

Lawmakers debated EU- Turkey relations on Tuesday, with the main parties backing a freeze.

However, the EU executive’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, urged caution during the debate, saying an end to the accession process would result in a lose- lose situation.

Erdogan accuses the EU of failing to understand the gravity of threats to Turkey. He said the bloc would have to “live with the consequences” if it stopped the talks and that Ankara could instead join a security alliance run by Russia and China.

Turkey still hopes to win visa- free travel for its citizens to the EU, although the chances of it earning that right by the end of this year seem distant.