The European Union (EU) demanded Turkey explain the legal basis for its shutdown of the Twitter social network, but so far has not received any response, the Hurriyet journal reported today.
EU authorities expressed their concern regarding the Turkish government’s decision to block Twitter access and demanded details behind the legal framework of the resolution implemented by the administration of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In this sense, diplomats from the EU Delegation in Ankara held meetings with officials from both the Justice Ministry and the Transportation and Communication Ministry, to learn about the legal basis of the Twitter blackout and then report to the EU Commission in Brussels, the journal added.
Senior EU officials have made statements on the shutdown, particularly the Commissioner for EU Extension, Stefan Füle, who strongly criticized the move, emphasizing that it was a serious breach of freedom of expression and the right to communicate. According to the Hurriyet journal, these developments could have a negative impact in the negotiations to integrate Turkey into the bloc. (PL)