Human Rights ‘Non-Negotiable’, EU Officials Tell Turkey’s Erdogan

Top European Union officials have met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisting on Ankara improving its human rights record and the rule of law before any moves to improve EU-Turkey relations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel met with Erdogan in Ankara weeks after the Turkish leader took conciliatory steps toward the EU and European leaders agreed to increase trade and improve cooperation with Turkey on migration.

They agreed to offer Turkey new incentives despite ongoing concerns about the country’s backslide on democratic and human rights, and its energy ambitions in the Mediterranean Sea.

They however also made clear that a stable and secure environment for EU members Cyprus and Greece is another prerequisite for closer ties with Turkey.

Erdogan’s efforts at reconciliation comes after last year tensions over a decision to stop deterring migrants from crossing its border into Greece, and dispatching of Turkish research ships into waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey is formally a candidate for EU membership, but its bid to join the 27-nation bloc has been at a standstill.

Last month, Erdogan pulled Turkey out of a key European convention aimed at combatting violence against women, triggering criticism from EU officials.

The move was a blow to Turkey’s women’s rights movement, which says domestic violence and femicide are on the rise.