Prime Minister of Austria: Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union

Austrian Chancellor (prime Minister) Sebastian Kurz said that Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union due to the political course pursued by Ankara in recent years, Russian news agency Sputnik reports

“In this country we see serious violation of human rights, fundamental rights and freedoms. I will not accept that the EU is watching and pretending that nothing is happening. From my point of view, Turkey, especially in the light of the policies of recent years, does not have place in the EU. It would be fair to stop negotiations on its accession,” Kurz said in an interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

Also, according to Kurz, Turkey is trying to exert a strong influence on the Turkish communities in Austria, Germany and other countries to prevent the integration of people of Turkish origin.

Following the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016, the relationship between Ankara and the European Union worsened. The European Union strongly criticized the reaction of Turkish authorities, mass arrests and other measures taken by Ankara post-coup, suspending the accession negotiations between Brussels and Turkey.

Among the EU members, Turkey has the most strained relations with Austria and Germany, as Vienna repeatedly urged Ankara to put an end to their accession bid, whereas Berlin insists on a review of the EU economic policy regarding Ankara due to the arrests of human rights activists in Turkey.

Last week, Ankara has expressed protest over the program of the new Austrian government that has vowed to end Turkey’s EU membership talks by joining forces with other EU countries that share this goal.