AKIPRESS.COM - German Chancellor Angela Merkel told parliamentary members of her conservative Christian Democrats on Tuesday that she opposed opening new negotiations with Turkey as part of its quest to join the European Union, reported Reuters with reference to the Bild newspaper.
That means the discussions are effectively over, the newspaper reported in Wednesday editions, citing sources who participated in the party meeting.
Merkel recommended spelling that out to voters who asked about the party's position on Turkey, the newspaper said.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said his country has not yet "closed the book" on the EU after the European Parliament recommended freezing accession talks last week, but said Ankara had other options with other partners.
The European Parliament last week voted 479 to 37 for a non-binding motion to temporarily halt membership talks with Turkey because of its "disproportionate" reaction to the failed July 15 coup.