MEP says 'suspicion' between Turkey and EU hinders migration agreement

MEP Alfred Sant said that the European Union’s diplomatic leverage with Turkey is restricted, because both sides regard each other with suspicion.

Speaking to the European Parliament Sant said that it was necessary to conclude  an agreement between the EU and Turkey on migrant flows as swiftly as possible.

“In prevailing circumstances the agreement is the best arrangement possible, but the strategic flaws inherent in it should be recognised,” Sant said, commenting on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 17/18 March and the outcome of the EU-Turkey Summit.

“The most important problem remains that Turkey-EU relations have become poisoned by a long term, mutual bad faith,” he said.

“It goes beyond the ongoing differences that relate to Europe's critical views about authoritarian developments and human rights issues in Turkey's governance, the Kurdish question, or the problem of a divided Cyprus.”

He added that the bad faith would persist even if all these issues were resolved.

Sant said there is still a lack of clarity and honesty regarding Turkey's future as a member or non-member of the European Union. He questioned whether the EU could unequivocally declare that membership would inevitably ensue should Turkey satisfy all the requirements for it to become an EU member.

“The answer is no, but this is not acknowledged. So an indispensable basis, one way or another, by which to define EU-Turkey relations longterm is missing. It is another reason why the EU's diplomatic leverage with Turkey is so restricted and both sides regard each other with suspicion.”