Merkel calls Erdogan into a "dialogue with respect" with all political parties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel today called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pursue "a dialogue with respect" with all political parties following his weak victory in the referendum on strengthening the presidential powers.

"The (German) government expects the Turkish government, following a tough campaigning campaign, will now pursue a dialogue with respect with all political forces and within society," the Chancellor underlined in her brief joint statement with Foreign Minister Zingmar Gabriel.

Berlin said it "recorded" the provisional results of the referendum, according to which "Yes" won 51.37% after counting the ballots to 99.45% of the polling stations.

The German government "respects the right of the Turks to decide on their constitution," he added, stressing that the "result shows how deeply Turkish society is divided".
This means a great responsibility for Turkish leaders and "personally" for President Erdogan, he continues.

Berlin also called for "political talks as soon as possible" with Ankara, "both at bilateral level and between the European institutions and Ankara".

Angela Merkel also said she expects the first OSCE / Council of Europe observers to hold the polls expected today. However, he recalled the "serious doubts" expressed by the Council of Europe and the OSCE regarding the referendum.


The EU calls on Ankara to broaden the "consensus" to implement the constitutional revision

The European Union yesterday called on the Turkish government to pursue the "broadest possible national consensus" after victory, with a marginal lead of yes to the referendum which gives overdecision to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"In view of the small differences and the profound consequences of the outcome of the referendum on the revision of the Constitution, we call on the Turkish authorities to seek the widest possible national consensus on its implementation," the European Commission's President , Jean-Claude Juncker, European diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner responsible for EU enlargement Johannes Han.

The Turkish opposition is afraid that the country is heading for an authoritarian departure after the referendum, the result of which is considered controversial.

President Erdogan has placed relations with the EU at the center of his campaign, blaming Brussels for repeated failure to make progress in the negotiations on Turkey's admission and ending the naming of "Nazi" to Germany and the Netherlands because they banned pre-election gatherings of Turkish communities On their territory.

"The revision of the Constitution, and especially its practical implementation, will be assessed from the point of view of Turkey's obligations as a candidate for accession to the European Union and of a member state of the Council of Europe", added the Announcement of Juncker, Mogorini and Han.

"We are urging Turkey to take into account the concerns and proposals of the Council of Europe, including those concerning the state of emergency," the announcement continues.

The Council of Europe, which includes the 28 EU Member States and many other European countries, has been following human rights developments, another issue that raises conflicts with Turkey, as the EU has repeatedly expressed widespread liquidation Which President Erdogan unleashed after the failed July military coup.
The communication also points out that the EU "expects international observers" to "assess the reported irregularities" by the opposition in the counting process.

 Turkey can not become a member of the EU, says the Austrian Foreign Minister and calls for a clear message from Brussels

A clear message from the European Union after the marginal "yes" to the controversial revision of the Turkish Constitution, "which means that Turkey continues to move away from the rule of law and democracy," the Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurtz, stressing that this country can not become a member of the EU.

The result is a clear sign against the EU, for which he expects a clear reaction from Brussels, as "it is finally necessary to have sincerity in the EU-Turkey relationship and finally the period of tactics should end," says Sebastian Kurtz, who comes from the cohorts, with the Social Democrats, a conservative People's Party.