2 top European Union officials visit Turkey amid tensions

TURKEY’S President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is preparing to bring back the death penalty.

The EU has expressed particular alarm at the mass purges of the security forces, judiciary, media and academia that followed the putsch. Turkey’s prime minister said that isn’t an option.

Some 35,000 people have been detained for questioning, with more than 17,000 of them being formally arrested to face trial.

Under the agreement, Turkey will drop legal claims against the Israeli military and individual officers and soldiers who were part of the Mavi Marmara raid.

After the failed July 15 coup that left at least 270 people dead, the Turkish government declared a state of emergency and launched a massive crackdown against supporters of the movement led by US -based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara deemed responsible for the uprising. Tens of thousands more have been dismissed from their jobs.

Erdogan was vocal in his anger of the West’s response following the coup and lack of support after more than 250 people lost their lives. He denies any involvement.

Speaking at the presidential palace on the capital Ankara, Mr Erdogan insisted the new dismissals would not weaken the judiciary. “I believe, on the contrary, it will provide a serious relief in establishing real justice”.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz and EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos held separate talks with Turkish officials after they threatened to suspend a March migrant deal if the visa restrictions weren’t lifted for Turkish nationals.

A Wednesday report in Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News said Ankara “now considers these terms satisfied”.

Many MEPs agreed that the European Union should monitor the rule of law and human rights situation in Turkey more closely, some asking for clearer evidence that the Gülen movement was behind the coup. The Turkish Parliament approved the deal earlier this month before they left for a summer recess, after being delayed by the July 15 military coup attempt. “That is regrettable. We never accept double standards in the protection of democratic values”.