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The vote in the European Parliament in favour of a temporary freeze of accession talks with Turkey will not bring an end to the refugee deal achieved between both parties seen as vital for the internal stability of the European Union, said Gunter Walzenbach, a senior lecturer at the University of West England, Bristol, in an interview with the NEWS.am.

According to him, the EP's vote is unlikely to trigger a fundamental change in the relationship between Brussels and Ankara "Although 479 out of 623 members of the European Parliament supported the resolution, its impact will be far more limited. While the migrant deal depends crucially on Turkish border controls, it is also reciprocated by the EU with significant financial assistance," said Gunter Walzenbach.

The predictable threat by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to look for partners elsewhere, specifically in the organisational setting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, according to the expert, lacks credibility and would hardly reflect Turkey’s national interests in terms of security arrangements and international economic relations. In both areas NATO and the EU offer the better alternative, stressed Walzenbach. "As has been the case in the past the best explanation for the recent diplomatic skirmishes between both sides is found in the institutional politics of the EU," added Walzenbach.

It is worthy to mention, that the European Parliament voted in favor of suspending negotiations with Turkey on accession to the EU. The approved resolution is not legally binding but reflects the position of the Parliament.

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