The European Parliament called on Thursday for Turkey's EU accession talks to be suspended if Ankara fully implements plans to expand President Tayyip Erdogan's powers, in a vote which Turkey dismissed as flawed and wrong.
The parliament has limited influence on Turkey's decades-old pursuit of EU membership, now in limbo after bitter exchanges between Ankara and some European countries, but the decision highlighted the gulf which has grown between the two sides.
EU leaders have been critical of Erdogan and his behaviour toward opponents, both before and after an abortive military coup against him last July.
A year-long crackdown since the failed coup and the sweeping new powers which Erdogan won in a tightly fought referendum in April have raised concerns among Turkey's Western allies.
Erdogan says both the crackdown and the increased presidential powers are needed to help tackle serious challenges to Turkey's security both at home and beyond its borders.
'False Claims'
Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik said Ankara regarded Thursday's vote in Strasbourg as invalid, while the foreign ministry was similarly dismissive.
"This decision, which is based on false claims and allegations, is trampling the reputation of the institution in question," the ministry said in a statement, referring to the European Parliament. "This decision is of no value for us."
Turkey does not accept a call by the European Parliament to suspend accession talks with Turkey, Turkish EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik told reporters on Thursday, saying it was a political decision which Ankara regarded as invalid.
Thursday's vote came as EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited Istanbul for talks with Celik and other Turkish ministers. Speaking before the result, Hahn said parliament was reflecting the mood in Europe.
Amnesty director, activists detained
Meanwhile, human rights organisation Amnesty International on Thursday said Turkish police had detained its Turkey director and other activists, calling for their immediate release.
Idil Eser, director of Amnesty International Turkey, was detained on Wednesday along with activists and trainers during a "digital security and information management workshop" on Buyukada, one of the Princes' Islands off Istanbul, Amnesty said in a statement.
The Hurriyet daily said a total of 12 had been arrested in a police raid on a hotel on Buyukada, a popular retreat with Istanbul residents.
There was no immediate comment from the police or indication of what the rights activists have been accused of.
