Turkey: Eight deaths during democratically dubious local elections in Turkey - why are EU and US not reacting ?

While the EU and the US are screaming "bloody murder" about the Crimea referendum, one of their most important NATO partners Turkey is holding it's own  local elections which can not be described as being held under ideal democratic circumstances/

According to the pollster Konda, Erdogan's Justice and Development Party stood at 46 percent support in the run-up to Sunday's vote despite the recent scandals.

The opposition Republican People's Party polled at 27 percent, while the Nationalist Movement Party and the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party garnered a combined 22 percent.

The ruling AKP and their leader Erdogan has basically taken over control of the Turkish judiciary system and purged 7,000 people from the police and judiciary in response to anti-graft raids that targeted businessmen close to the prime minister last  December.

Last month, an audio recording was leaked in which Erdogan apparently tells his son Bilal to hide large sums of money.has also made him ban social media Twitter and YouTube.

Turkey also remains the country with the largest number of journalist in jail globally.

What is amazing in all this however, however, is that neither the EU nor the US has made much fuss about the situation in Turkey, except for some indirect' "off the cuff"  remarks.

Neither the EU or the US has also sent polling station observers to the recent  elections... 

Consequently there is "something fishy going on  in Denmark" when it comes to the EU and the US having to deal with Turkey on the issues of Democracy, Human rights and  freedom of expression.

EU-Digest

Iran, Sextet to continue expert nuclear talks after Christmas

Iran and the six major world powers have agreed to resume a fresh round of expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear energy program following the Christmas holidays.

The agreement came in a telephone conversation between Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the six powers in nuclear talks with Tehran, on Sunday.

Zarif and Ashton also discussed the latest outcome of recent expert-level talks between Iran and the six countries over the past four days in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Iranian minister and EU foreign policy chief agreed that both sides would proceed with their consultations.

Expert-level talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US -- plus Germany entered an unscheduled fourth day in Geneva on Sunday with the purpose of devising mechanisms to implement an interim nuclear deal inked on November 24 to set the stage for the full resolution of the West’s dispute with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.

Read more: PressTV - Iran, Sextet to continue expert talks after Christmas

China, EU 'to renew ties' - by Fu Jing

China and the European Union on Saturday pledged to promote their mid- and long-term cooperation plan, address disputes and strengthen coordination over international affairs, as the first top-ranking EU official visited China under its new leadership.

China values relations with the EU, and will continue supporting the integration of the 27-member bloc, and deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told visiting EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

"You are the very first head of an EU institution to visit China after the inauguration of the new government in China," said Wang, adding the visit's timing was symbolic of the importance "placed by both the EU and you yourself on the Chinese-EU relationship".

Ashton, who is also a vice-president of the European Commission, said the European side would like to expand cooperation with China in the field of green economics and global security.

Before departing Brussels, Ashton had said in a statement that given China's recent change in leadership, it was time "to renew ties".

Read more: China, EU 'to renew ties' |Politics |chinadaily.com.cn

Bonne chance Cathy and Herman - by Rick Morren

EU-Digest

In the EU it's all a question of balance of power and the use of technocrats over politicians to manage the taxpayers money properly and honestly. Mr. Van Rompuy and Lady Ashton might be considered dull in the sense that they don't have the charisma of President Obama, but when it comes to experience, management skills and intelligence they are well qualified and stack up favorably against all the present "world" leaders.

One should also not try to compare the EU with any other political federal system in the world. There is no comparison. The EU is an ongoing democratic experiment of 27 nations with half a billion people and is probably the most daring human political endeavor ever attempted. Regardless of all the mistakes that have and are being made, the EU's economic, scientific, cultural, social, and political achievements far outweigh its failures. Maybe one of it's most important achievements so far has been that this Union of European Nations has ended the past ravaging wars between countries on the European continent which hampered any real form of progress for its people.

As Mr. Van Rompuy and Lady Ashton take on their new tasks we all hope they will make sure that the future development of the EU always remains in the hands of its citizens, even more so than it does today. In this context it is also important they guard against foreign influences or pressures, be it economic, social, cultural or political, getting a foothold on the European continent. Bonne chance Cathy and Herman !