Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that the best approach in EU-Turkey relations is to recognize the differences that exist between the two sides. Dr. Sant, speaking on the outcome of the EU-Turkey summit in preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March, said his hope and wish are that the heads of agreement reached by the European Council and Turkey will develop into a fully operative agreement. However beyond wishes, one must also acknowledge realities. Turkey and the EU have different -- asymetric -- sometimes mutually exclusive -- interests regarding the relationship between them, over the refugee crisis and regarding the civil war in Syria. This reality is being fudged through ambiguities, which is dangerous. Ambiguities become acute at the wrong moment in time and lead to collapse.
The Maltese MEP said the EU wants Turkey to control the flow of refugees to Europe and is prepared to provide funds for this to happen. “It is in Turkey's interests for refugees to leave. Turkey wants serious progress over its membership application to join the EU. Yet, a majority in the EU is against Turkish membership; I find myself in the minority on this one. Meanwhile, the EU has been critical of Turkey's efforts to contain Kurdish separatism and the growing authoritarianism of its government. The EU is divided. Turkey presents a united front. Tough as it is, perhaps eventually the best approach would be to call a spade a spade, and define a way forward that recognizes the differences between the two sides.” Dr. Sant told the EP which was also attended by Dutch Defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert who was representing the Council.
You may follow Dr. Sant’s intervention on this link :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aV-xKQKRbE