SDP leader Gabriel: Germany's and EU's policies are not wise

Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Sigmar Gabriel said that the European Union (EU) should attach more importance to the opening of chapters in Turkey's membership talks such as jurisdiction and human rights. In this way, the democratization process in Turkey can be supported and speeded up, said Gabriel, and indicated that the policies followed by Germany and the EU were not wise. Gabriel met with Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a working dinner. Speaking at the dinner, Gabriel indicated that during the negotiation of chapters like justice and human rights, issues such as freedom of press and judicial independence can be discussed in an open manner. "EU is actually self-harming," said Gabriel.