German coalition draft suggests no steps for Turkey’s EU bid: Report
BERLIN
Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) have reportedly agreed in a coalition draft document that they do not want to close any chapters in Turkey’s talks on accession to the European Union, nor open any new chapters, “given the state of democracy and human rights in that country.”
The draft document seen by Reuters, which was subject to change, also contained a pledge not to export arms to countries involved in the war in Yemen - a pledge seemingly targeted at Saudi Arabia, a major buyer of German arms.
The parties plan tax relief for citizens of 10 billion euros over the three years to 2021 as well as extra spending on home-building, education and research, Reuters reported.
The leaders of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc and the center-left SPD agreed on Jan. 12 on the basis to move ahead with coalition negotiations, after marathon overnight talks.
