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Slovenia worries about situation in Turkey after referendum

Xinhua, April 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec expressed worries about the situation in Turkey as he commented on Wednesday "The things that have been happening lately are good neither for Turkey nor the European Union".

The minister made the remarks at a session of the Slovenian parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee on the results of Sunday's referendum on constitutional changes, which gives the president greater powers, according to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The minister is not optimistic regarding future relations between Turkey and the EU either, said the STA report, "If the relations deteriorate, we cannot look into the future too optimistically."

Erjavec called for continuation and strengthening of dialogue with Turkey, because suspending dialogue, as advocated by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, would not contribute to improving the situation.

Turning to Sunday's referendum, he said that according to certain assessments, it had not been conducted in line with the standards of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

At least 2.5 million ballots are allegedly disputable and the competent institutions must establish the actual situation, the STA quoted the Foreign Minister as saying.

According to unofficial results, the "Yes" campaign won with 51.41 percent, while the "No" votes stood at 48.59 percent. Voter turnout was 85.46 percent.

While western nations are expressing concerns about the referendum, Turkish president supporters say the changes are needed to establish stability in the country.

They also argue that a strong, centralized government will make Turkey more able to tackle other challenges such as the troubled economy.

Erjavec also at the same occasion commented on the surprising decision of British Prime Minister Theresa May to call a snap general elections, saying that this would certainly affect the timetable of negotiations on Brexit.

May is doing well in public opinion polls and if this translates to the elections, she would solidify her position and, consequently, the negotiating position in the Brexit talks with the EU, he added. Endit