Human Rights Issues in Turkey at the Center of Talks Between Erdogan and EU Officials

• 05.25.2017, 18:20
•  Europe,  Region,  World

Reuters

The EU has expressed concern over the sacking and jailing of tens of thousands of soldiers, police, teachers and civil servants since a failed military coup last July during meetings with Turkish President Erdogan. It has also criticized a revamping of Turkey's constitution - backed by a referendum - that greatly expands Erdogan's powers, Reuters reports. 

Turkey, for its part, has accused the EU of dragging its feet over the country's bid to join the bloc.

"We discussed the need to cooperate. I put the question of human rights in the center of our discussions with Erdogan," European Council chief Donald Tusk wrote in a tweet following the meeting but gave no further details.