Merkel: EU to cut aid to Turkey over democratic backsliding

German leader criticizes ‘absolutely unsatisfying human rights situation,’ but leaves door open for further talks

By AP 20 October 2017, 4:03 am

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a meeting of the European People's Party prior to an EU summit in Brussels on October 19, 2017. European Union leaders are gathering for a two day summit to discuss migration, digital economy and Brexit. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

BRUSSELS — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said early Friday that European Union leaders have agreed to reduce financial assistance for helping Turkey get ready for possible EU membership due to that country’s violations of the rule of law and human rights.

But Merkel also stressed that she wants to keep talking to Turkey and said there is no consensus among leaders of the 28-member bloc to completely end membership talks with Turkey, which have been underway since 2005.

Speaking at a summit in Brussels, Merkel criticized the “absolutely unsatisfying human rights situation” in Turkey, but said she wanted to “avoid a showdown” and does not wish “to break bridges” with the NATO country.

Merkel arrived at the summit Thursday saying she considers Turkey’s developments on democracy “very negative, not only because many Germans are under arrest.”

In this Tuesday, June 21, 2016 file photo, protesters demonstrate against the jailing of two journalists and an academic, outside the offices of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits, in Istanbul. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

Hours later she said that she and other EU leaders held important talks on Turkey and that the bloc’s executive arm would work on proposals for reducing financial aid that has been channeled to helping the country prepare for membership.

Merkel did praise Turkey for helping stop the huge flow of migrants into Europe as part of a deal with the EU.

Turkey’s bid to join the EU has stalled following a crackdown on dissent that followed a failed coup attempt in 2016. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has arrested several German citizens, including journalists and a human rights worker.