Assita Kanko wants clear conditions for talks between the EU and Turkey

“If Erdogan is going to behave like a child, then he must be treated like one.” MEP Assita Kanko doesn’t want Turkey to get any more European money without clear conditions and suspension clauses. “If Erdogan tries to blackmail the EU again, a clause must be included in a new agreement which automatically suspends all EU funds.”

On Monday, Turkish president Erdogan met with the EU Council and the EU presidents in Brussels to find a solution to the migration crisis on the Greek-Turkish border. Assita Kanko, who is following up the migration questions in the European Parliament, is clear: “If the approach of the EU is to ‘keep its friends close and its proverbial enemies even closer’, then we are heading for failure. Because again as the proverb goes, once bitten, twice shy.”

As dead as a dodo

According to Assita Kanko, it is clear that the prospect of Turkey ever acceding to the EU or again successfully negotiating a special relationship with the customs union is as dead as a dodo. “In the last four years, Turkey has gone completely off the rails when it comes to citizens’ rights, reform of the justice system, freedom of the media or the rule of law. Saying that the EU has not confirmed the end of the deal is yet more rhetoric and propaganda from an autocratic leader who never had the intention of becoming a constructive or trustworthy partner.”

No money without clear conditions

The European Union must speak in decisive words, MEP Assita Kanko says. “If Erdogan is going to behave like a child, then he must be treated like one. The EU must be very clear: no more money will be given to Turkey without precise and clear conditions and suspension clauses. Erdogan must accept an external assessment of the EU on his territory regarding reception conditions and fundamental rights when EU resources are used. And those resources must be clearly designated and may never be given to Turkey directly.”

Insult for European voters

“If Erdogan tries to blackmail the EU again, a clause must be included in a new agreement which automatically suspends all EU funds. The trade relationship between Turkey and the EU can also be a lever; it is a relationship that accounts for almost half of Turkish exports.

“The EU would do well to remember that there is no such thing as EU money, only money that comes from member states and taxpayers. Transferring tax money to Turkey without clear conditions and a suspension clause would be an insult to voters and would further undermine the credibility of the EU,” Assita Kanko concludes.