Austria remains opposed to EU membership talks with Turkey

Published August 10, 2016

Austria's chancellor says he remains in favor of ending EU membership talks with Turkey, despite opposition from senior EU leaders, and is looking for support for his views within the 28-nation union.

Christian Kern's initial call to stop the negotiations earlier this month was rejected by EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker as well as German and other EU government officials.

While critical of what they view as Turkey's eroding human rights, they fear for the future of a deal obliging Ankara to take back migrants arriving on Greek islands in exchange for funding to help care for refugees and visa-free travel in the EU for Turks.

Kern said Wednesday that the EU "cannot accept someone who does not honor democratic standards."

Turkey has harshly criticized the Austrian leader's views.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/austria-remains-opposed-to-eu-membership-talks-with-turkey