Germany and Netherlands suspended Turkey's EU membership talks

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS: Germany and the Netherlands put a veto on the Turkey's EU membership talks after the government's mishandling of the protests linked to the demolition of the Gezi Park in the Taksim Square of Istanbul. The European countries suspended the Turkey's membership talks, scheduled to resume on June 26. As reported by Armenpress, this was published by the DoğanNewsAgency, stating that the EU negotiations with Turkey were intended to be held on June 19 at the European Union Permanent Representatives Committee.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), headed by the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, have long opposed the Turkey's EU membership. It was noted: "We reject full membership for Turkey, because the country does not meet the criteria for joining the EU".

In the interview given to the German RTL Public Television, the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel strictly criticized the repressions carried out by the police towards the protesters in the Turkey’s Gezi Park.

The disorders in Turkey began when on May 28 2013 the plans of replacing Taksim Gezi Park with a reconstruction of the historic Taksim Military Barracks (demolished in 1940) with the possibility of housing a shopping mall became known. The protests developed into riots when a group occupying the park was attacked by police. The subjects of the protests have since broadened beyond the development of Taksim Gezi Park, developing into wider anti-government demonstrations. The protests have also spread to other cities in Turkey, and protests have been seen in other countries with significant Turkish communities. On May 31 2013, police suppressed the protesters with tear gas, arrested at least 60 people and injured hundreds. The police action received wide attention online. 5 men died in the clashes between the police and the protesters, more than 7500 people were injured and hundreds of people were arrested.

The Turkish authorities were appealed by the White House, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the EU foreign policy commissioner Catherine Ashton, the US Vice President Joe Biden and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to settle the issue via a dialogue.