Turkey has lost enthusiasm to enter EU, the country’s ambassador to EU says

The European Union will no longer play a key role in Turkey’s post-election reform efforts because there is no clear perspective on Turkish accession into the 27-nation bloc, Turkey’s ambassador Selim Kuneralp to the EU said.

“The European Commission’s recommendations will be taken on board to the extent that they reflect universal norms. Take the death penalty [which Turkey abolished in 2004]. Whether or not you want to join the EU, it’s a good thing to abolish the death penalty”.

“But in the absence of any clear perspective of accession, there’s no reason why Turkey should align its legislation toward narrow EU standards. To put it simply, the EU has lost its leverage on Turkey”, Kuneralp said on Monday.