Turkey EU talks could be blocked

Austria’s foreign minister has threatened to block the expansion of negotiations with Turkey on its accession to the European Union, which could scupper a landmark migration deal between Brussels and Ankara.

Foreign minister Sebastian Kurz’s comments, published yesterday, risk exacerbating a row between Austria and Turkey that flared last week when Austrian chancellor Christian Kern suggested ending Turkey’s EU membership talks altogether because of the country’s democratic and economic deficits.

Talks on Turkish accession have made slow progress since they began in 2005, with just one “chapter” concluded of 35 such policy areas where Turkey must implement EU rules.