Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy, and Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, met with Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The President did not even make an appointment despite requests being made. 

In the statements made, the EU side also reiterated the views known in our flank. 

As always, EU executives emphasized and warned of the superiority of law, rights and freedoms, while our side said polemicist words in a defensive position.

But in the statement made after the meeting, the issues noted were:

“The Turkish side stressed its commitment to joining the EU and its determination to make reforms quickly in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights. The standards of the Council of Europe and EU norms will serve as an anchor for these reforms.”

“The European Union side referred to Turkey’s need to take steps that would reverse the developments in the field of fundamental rights and the rule of law resulting from the July 15 coup which was condemned by the EU.

“We will cooperate to expand and protect the space provided to an inclusive for open civil society which is one of the key elements of functioning democracy.” (Milliyet, 24.11.18)

The media highlighted more visa exemption chapters of the talks and the familiar rests of our flank. But the official document also states that Ankara once again promises to reform the rule of law and fundamental rights.

Also highlighted the repeated call of taking steps about the decline of superiority of law and fundamental rights after 15th July. 

In order not to remain on paper again, Ankara should give up on promising reform and abandon its politics of distraction, while Brussels should follow closely the developments with a careful and decisive attitude.

November 27, 2018, Tuesday, Yeni Asya/Kazım Güleçyüz

Translation: Özgür Nizam