Chancellor Merkel’s CDU Rejects Turkish Membership in EU

Local Editor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) rejected the Turkish membership in the European Union in their German election program, considering the country would "overburden" the bloc because of its size and economy.

The German line has hardened in recent weeks however because of Ankara's tough response to three weeks of protests against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan.

A draft of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union program mentioned, "We want strong cooperation between the European Union and Turkey, as well as close strategic collaboration on foreign and security questions."

"We reject full membership for Turkey, because the country does not meet the criteria for joining the EU. The country would overburden the European Union because of its size and the structure of its economy," it said.

On Monday, Merkel said she was "appalled" at Turkey's handling of protests and excessive use of force, which have turned into clashes between police and protesters, injuring thousands and killing at least four.

Source: News Agencies, edited by website team