Human rights, press freedom, Cyprus – Turkey must do more if it wants to join the EU say MEPs. But some question if the EU wants Turkey to join.

Turkish Negotiations Stall

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15480569/N001-110309-002-ENa.srt

MEPs unanimously agree that Turkey has  not yet met the conditions to join the EU.

Human rights, press freedom,  the thorny issue of Cyprus

In October 2005 the EU opened  accession negotiations with Ankara

but for some MEPs,  talks have become ambiguous.

I believe that the EU and particularly  some Member States should refrain,

should stop sending mixed  and blurred messages to Ankara.

That means that sometimes  Ankara has the feeling that

even if Ankara fulfils  all the criteria,

it will still not be  a member of the EU.

Whether it's energy  or the crises in the Arab world,

Turkey's has become  a critical partner on international issues,

but does Europe really want  Turkey in the EU?

equally the strategic importance of the  bridge that it creates for other countries

that are predominantly Islamic  and want to reform –

Optimists hope to see Turkey join the EU  in 10 to 15 years' time,