Europe

EU struggles for common stance over Turkey rights crackdown

Associated Press
Published | Updated

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, speaks with Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Juhani Soini, right, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. EU foreign ministers meet Monday to discuss strained ties with Turkey and trans-Atlantic ties after the U.S. election results. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, center, speaks with, from left, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. EU foreign ministers meet Monday to discuss strained ties with Turkey and trans-Atlantic ties after the U.S. election results. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a group of farmers, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. Erdogan has suggested holding a referendum on the future of Turkey's European Union membership bid amid worsening ties with the union.(Murat Cetinmuhurdar, Presidential Press Service, Pool photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

European Union foreign ministers are trying to reach a common stance on Turkey over the government crackdown on political opponents and the media.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she and the ministers would strive Monday for "a common, united position on developments in Turkey."

Turkey and the EU have been locked in a war of words over Ankara's commitment to democracy and rule of law in the wake of the failed coup in the country in July.

The crackdown has raised questions about Turkey's EU membership prospects.

EU officials say it's time for Ankara to say whether it really wants to join, but Mogherini said the future of membership wouldn't be on the table at Monday's talks in Brussels.