|
Turkey's EU Minister said Thursday the refugee agreement would not be implemented unless a specific date was set for visa-free access to Europe for Turkish citizens.
Addressing a joint press conference in Ankara prior to a meeting with Germany's Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, Celik said the cooperation between Turkey and EU was significant in terms of handling one of the biggest refugee crises in history.
"This needs to continue, but as we said before, we expect a specific date for visa liberalization. Unless a date is given for visa-free travel, we will not implement new mechanisms, such as the readmission deal," Celik said.
The minister went on to comment on the fight against Daesh in Syria, saying defeating Daesh was a priority for Turkey.
Celik noted the positive response from EU countries to the military operations launched by the Turkish Army and coalition air forces in northern Syria to clear Daesh in Jarabulus early Wednesday.
"We want to make it clear that Turkey has been using its right to self-defense. This is not an attack or intervention in internal affairs," he said.
Since January, rocket attacks on the Turkish province of Kilis from Daesh-held territory in Syria have killed at least 21 people while terrorist attacks in Gaziantep blamed on Daesh include last Saturday's suicide bombing of a wedding that killed 54 and a car bomb attack in May that martyred two police officers.
Michael Roth, for his part, condemned the recent attack and said Turkey had the right to protect its citizens and the country from terrorism.
"Turkey has been faced with many inhuman terrorist attacks. This is a disaster. We are deeply in sorrow. However, Turkey is not the only country in Europe. You are not alone. Germany is ready to support your fight against terror within the framework of law and democracy," he said.
Roth also recalled Germany's clear and prompt reaction and condemnation soon after the July 15 coup attempt, calling it a "dreary" incident.
"Changes are never brought about through violence and military coups, but through democratic elections. Turkish people bravely resisted this coup attempt," he said.
As for the refugee deal between Turkey and the EU, the German minister pointed out the good cooperation between the bloc and Turkey on the refugee issue, and the mutual agreement on a number of provisions.
"Now they need to carry out this agreement step by step in cooperation," he said.
Signed March 18, the EU-Turkey refugee deal aims to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.
The deal also allows for the acceleration of Turkey's EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on the condition that Ankara meets 72 requirements set by the EU.
Ankara has met most of the requirements, but the EU's demands for change in Turkey's anti-terrorism law have led to a deadlock in negotiations. -
|
Poem
Manşetler
Spor
Son Dakika
Haber
Yerel Haberler
