Jean-Claude Juncker, today in an interview with ARD German public Broadcaster in Brussels:
“Turkey, in its current state, cannot become a member of the EU”

© SWR

In an exclusive interview with Markus Preiß, chief correspondent of the ARD office in Brussels, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, insists on maintaining political agreements made with Turkey, particularly after the threats of Erdogan to call off the refugee deal between the EU and Turkey.

“The same conditions apply; we can’t make trade-offs in terms of human rights or anti-terrorism legislation. Anti-terrorism laws cannot be ill-used to imprison journalists, academics and others. It won’t work.”

Regarding the ongoing negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the EU, Juncker adds: “Turkey, in its current state, cannot become a member of the EU, especially if Turkey did what some fear, namely to reintroduce the death penalty. It would result in the immediate stop of negotiations.”

As opposed to Austria, Jean-Claude Juncker pleads for a continuation of talks: “It wouldn’t be helpful if we signified to Turkey that negotiations are over. We cannot do that. All Member States would have to decide unanimously to bring it to a halt. And I don’t see this willingness at the moment.”

“If one would, at this point in time, suggest to Turkey that the European Union wasn’t willing to integrate Turkey anyway, it would be a serious mistake in terms of foreign policy”, Juncker added in his conversation with Markus Preiß. “It could well be that, depending on the course of the ongoing negotiations; Turkey could change its mind on membership. This depends greatly on the result of negotiations.”

The complete interview will be broadcasted on Sunday, 7^th of August 2016, at 12:45 on the programme Europamagazin. It is available on www.tagesschau.de.