EP to vote on nine clauses of Turkey's EU membership

The European Parliament (EP) is to vote to freeze European Union (EU) membership talks with Turkey, as Ankara has been fighting against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) following the coup bid, by dismissing tens of thousands of state employees over their link with the FETÖ terrorist organization.

The text that the EP agreed on can possibly pave the way for the 'freeze' on the EU membership of Turkey, despite the fact that the decision is not binding.

The EP agreed on nine clauses which include the 'freeze' expression, as the body agreed that Turkey is violating 7 of the 72 criteria that are crucial for the continuation of the talks.

The text said that Turkey is implying 'non-proportional security measures' during the state of emergency, which was extended for another 90 days in October.

The nine clauses will be voted on in Strasbourg by the EP General Assembly.

Turkey formally applied to become an EU member in 1987; the accession talks began in 2005.

Turkey and the EU agreed to speed up membership talks in March, as part of an accord on curbing migrant flows into Greece in exchange for Turkey getting cash and visa-free access for its citizens.

Leading members of the European Parliament on Tuesday called for a halt to membership talks with Turkey, justifying their decision with Turkey's fight against coupist FETÖ terrorist organization, saying that they urge Ankara to comply with "basic rights and freedoms criteria" for them.

Erdoğan warned the EU last week to make a decision by year's end on Turkey's membership or he would call a referendum on the matter. He also said that the vote has no value in his eyes.