Turkey and the EU appear to be at a deadlock though both sides are willing to negotiate. Discussions on Turkey’s EU accession as well as a critical migrant deal are facing challenges. During an official visit to Ankara by the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier those were the issues on the table.

CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports.Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter @michal_bardavid

In March, the EU and Turkey signed a critical migrant deal. Turkey was to assist the EU with the influx of migrants and refugees in exchange for financial aid and visa -free travel for its citizens within the Schengen zone. Relations seemed strong and both parties happy with their part of the deal. Seven months later, the picture is quite different.

Turkey claims it has followed through on its’ promises, as the flow of illegal migrants from its shores has almost stopped. The EU on the other hand, has yet to deliver. The bloc has run into a few obstacles following July’s failed coup attempt in Turkey. Authorities carried out a major crackdown on suspects, where over 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended.

The EU expressed concern and strong criticism, one that was not welcomed by Turkey.

But even before the crackdown, Turkey and the EU came across an issue: terrorism. The EU called on Turkey to change its’ laws, yet Ankara stated current laws are needed for Turkey’s security as it struggles with an ongoing Kurdish conflict. Analysts believe this issue could cause the visa deal to collapse.

Millions in Turkey had welcomed the idea that Turkish citizens could potentially get visa free access to the Schengen zone. If that part of the EU deal does not go through, no doubt, many here would be strongly disappointed.

Though the Turkish government wants the visa deal to be carried out, with the recent developments， not only the migrant deal but even Turkey’s EU accession process might be halted as Turkish President Erdogan has openly stated Turkey might consider bringing back the death penalty, which the EU is against.

Cenk Sidar discusses Turkey’s bid for EU membership

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