German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and European Council President Donald Tusk attend a bilateral meeting during an EU-Turkey summit in Brussels, as the bloc is looking to Ankara to help it curb the influx of refugees and migrants flowing into Europe, March 7, 2016 (Photo: Reuters)
A senior European parliamentarian who is a member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party says Turkey should not become a member of the European Union.
European People's Party chief Manfred Weber said Wednesday that the center-right bloc "is very skeptical about the idea of membership for Turkey. We actually don't think that's positive for either side."
Turkey has demanded fast-track EU membership talks, an easing of visa rules for Turkish citizens and some 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion) to help Europe manage its refugee emergency.
The EPP is the biggest group in the parliament.
Echoing Merkel's position from the past that a "privileged partnership" would be better, Weber said "if Turkey wants a partnership with us then it's important to make sure that Turkey doesn't turn away from Europe."
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