Turkey is making no progress towards its goal of joining the European Union, the EU Commission reported on Wednesday, citing “serious deficiencies in the functioning of [Turkey’s] democratic institutions.” Accession negotiations remain at a standstill, according to the responsible commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi. “Democratic backsliding” was cited in the commission’s report. Turkey continues to refuse to address deteriorating human and fundamental rights, increasingly pressures civil society organizations, cracks down on opposition politicians and has made no progress in the fight against corrup…