EU calls on Turkey to 'safeguard democracy,' increasing criticism

The EU issued a strong new call on the Turkish government on Nov. 8 to resume political dialogue with opposition groups and safeguard its democracy, describing recent developments as "extremely worrying."

The statement issued a day before an annual EU assessment of Turkey's progress on meeting the criteria for EU accession, noted the discussions in Ankara on reintroducing the death penalty following the failed military coup of July 15, a crackdown on the media and the arrests last week of opposition lawmakers. 

"The EU and its member states ... call on Turkey to safeguard its parliamentary democracy, including the respect for human rights, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and the right of everyone to a fair trial, also in conformity with its commitments as a candidate country [for EU membership]," the statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini read. 

"In this regard, the EU and its member states will continue to follow and assess the situation very closely and they stand ready to continue political dialogue with Turkey at all levels, within the established framework," it added. 

Turkey should continue to recognize the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist group but the arrest of lawmakers from a legal Kurdish party was "polarizing" society, the statement said. 

"A return to a credible political process and to a genuine political dialogue is essential for the country's democracy and stability in the region," it added. 

The EU is engaged in a delicate stage of its relationship with its large Muslim neighbour, which acts as a buffer between Europe and an unstable Middle East. Since an agreement in March, Turkey has helped end an influx of refugees and migrants to the EU via...