Belgian Parliament: No room for Turkey in European Union

BRUSSELS — After placing Ankara under scrutiny last March following the deterioration of human rights and freedoms in the country, the Belgian Parliament announced on Monday that there is no room for Turkey in the European Union.

Last month, Belgium called for the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to abide by standards required to revive relations with the European Union and start reforms that focus on the rule of law, the protection of basic rights, and the cessation of oppressing the opposition.

With regard to violations in the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Parliament demanded that Ankara stop its hostile activities targeting Greece and Cyprus.

Earlier, the European Parliament confirmed that it would reject any new customs agreement with Turkey as there has been no improvement in the conditions of human rights and democracy in the country.