EU postpones next round of membership talks for Turkey

LUXEMBOURG, June 25 (UPI) -- Turkey's crackdown on anti-government protests has resulted in the postponement of a new round of European Union membership talks, the EU said.

The four-month postponement was sought by Germany to demonstrate the block's displeasure with the crackdown, Hurriyet Daily News reported Tuesday.

The text of the decision said a new chapter with Turkey will be opened after the presentation of the European Commission's Annual Progress Report and a discussion of the General Affairs Council in October.

"That's what we expected," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan when asked about the negotiations.

Germany's proposal to postpone accession talks was backed by Austria and Netherlands, the EUobserver reported.

However, the majority of EU countries and the commission wanted to go ahead this week, saying negotiations would help the EU exert pressure on Turkish authorities.