A draft from the Dutch Presidency on which decision to take on Turkey at the EU summit 16-17 December, suggests several restrictions aimed at securing ways of keeping up the pressure on Turkey during future negotiations.
The draft, seen by EurActiv, reads: "In the case of a serious and persistent breach in a candidate state of the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law on which the Union is founded, the Commission will, at its own initiative or on the request of at least one third of the Member States, recommend the suspension of negotiations and propose the conditions for eventual resumption."
The decison of the Council would be taken by qualified majority.
The draft also contains further ideas aimed at soothing sceptical public opinion in some EU member states: "Long transition periods may be needed and specific arrangements, in areas such as structural policies and agriculture, as well as permanent safeguard clauses, notably in the area of the free movement of persons."
A spokesman from the Turkish mission to the EU declined to comment on the draft which he called "only a draft of a draft". It will be discussed for the first time in COREPER on 1 December.
