EU votes to freeze Turkey membership talks

The European Union's parliament wants the bloc to freeze membership negotiations with Turkey over the government's heavy-handed crackdown following a failed coup in July.

The European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution on Thursday asking the 28-nation EU "to initiate a temporary freeze" on talks with Ankara until "disproportionate measures under the state of emergency in Turkey are lifted".

Anticipating the vote, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday his country's "struggle for its stability and future won't be interrupted by (European legislators) raising and lowering their hands".

Although the vote carries no immediate consequences, it underscores the increasing unease in Europe over Erdogan's tightening grip on power following the coup attempt.

Tens of thousands of people, including teachers, journalists and opposition MPs, have been arrested or sacked.