...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
''s accession process to the European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...(EU), by 370 votes in favour, 109 against and 143 abstentions.
The document, drawn up by the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted Turkey's poor record in defending human rights
...which are usually entirely different from personal
liberty...
, the rule of law, freedom of the media and the fight against corruption.
For these reasons the approved motion recommended that EU accession negotiations with Turkey be formally suspended and that relations between the two sides be redefined in terms of an effective partnership, diverting the funds still available to
The decision taken is of an advisory and non-binding nature, and the next steps on Turkey will be announced by the European Commission on May 29.
A draft report was released in February and harshly criticised by the Ankara authorities as biased and prejudiced against Turkey, while announcing their intention to achieve its amendment and continue EU accession talks.