EU Tells Turkey To Be 'neighbourly' To Win Membership

The EU on Tuesday criticised Turkey's efforts to win membership of the bloc, saying recent spats with European states were "not conducive to good neighbourly relations".

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Apr, 2018 ) :The EU on Tuesday criticised Turkey's efforts to win membership of the bloc, saying recent spats with European states were "not conducive to good neighbourly relations".

In its latest report on Ankara's long-stalled bid to join the union, the European Commission said there were still "serious shortcomings" on democracy and the rule of law. But it focused particularly on rows including Ankara's arrest of two Greek soldiers and its promise to prevent the internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot government from exploring for oil and gas.

"Tensions in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean were not conducive to good neighbourly relations and undermined regional stability and security," the report said.

"Bilateral relations with several EU member states deteriorated, including at times offensive and unacceptable rhetoric." The report added: "Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations." EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said there was no chance of ending the current freeze on opening new "chapters" in Turkey's EU membership process.

"Turkey is a candidate country, an important partner for the EU and a key actor, but it is not the time to open a new chapter in the negotiations," she said. Negotiations began in 2005 and so far Turkey had opened just 16 out of 33 chapters.