State of emergency complicates ties between Ankara-Brussels: EU term presidency

The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) warns Turkey against the extension of its state of emergency stressing that it harms the environment for progress in democracy and the rule of law and complicates ties between Ankara and Brussels.

"Yesterday, the state of emergency was extended for three more months. It's very difficult to advance democracy and rule of law under the state of emergency. That's the reason for some of the complications in recent communication between Turkey and EU," Foreign Minister of Estonia Sven Mikser told Hürriyet Daily News in an interview on July 18 after his talks in Ankara.

Minister Mikser is not optimistic about opening a new negotiation chapter for accession talks with Turkey during their term presidency. 

"It's pretty clear it would be unrealistic to expect to open new chapters during our presidency partly because of the EU's internal political calendar, the upcoming elections. But more importantly we expect the European Commission's assessment about Turkey's progress regarding the Copenhagen Criteria. This assessment is due early next year," said Mikser.

He underlined that Turkey and the EU, meanwhile, work on "other important tracks." "Everyone agrees that the partnership between the EU and Turkey is a strategic one. Turkey is seen in Europe as an indispensable partner in migration related issues. Turkey is a very important security partner for Europe and a very important NATO ally for many countries. The country plays a very important role in attempts to resolve the security crisis in the Middle East. The economic track is of very high importance, including to the future of the Customs Union."

Elaborating on the post-coup attempt period in Turkey, the Estonian...

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