Turkey accuses EU of encouraging coup plotters

Turkey has accused the European Union of “encouraging” plotters of last month’s failed coup attempt as ties between Ankara and Brussels seem to be going in a downward spiral.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that Turkish people's confidence in the EU has "unfortunately fallen" in the wake of the July 15 coup.

"Let me say openly, this is because the EU adopted a favorable position to the coup (and) encouraged the putschists," Cavusoglu told reporters during a televised briefing in the capital, Ankara, without giving further details.

He claimed that support for EU membership has plummeted to some 20 percent.

Turkey-EU relations have gone into a tailspin over a host of issues, including the failed coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.  

The EU has been highly critical of Turkey’s severe crackdown on those alleged to be coup plotters or sympathizers, urging Ankara to act within the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Erdogan’s hint that Turkey may revive death penalty has also angered EU officials, who have expressed concern over human rights abuses in the country.

The simmering tension between the EU and Turkey has raised questions over Ankara's future relationship with the bloc.

SS