- Title: Time has come for Turkey to reassess EU migration deal - minister
- Date: 15th March 2017
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (MARCH 14, 2017) (REUTERS) TURKEY'S EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS MINISTER, OMER CELIK, WALKING DOWN STAIRS AND INTO ROOM VARIOUS OF CELIK SEATED AND BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS MINISTER, OMER CELIK, SAYING: "If you look carefully, the European Union always talks about co-operating in the fight against terrorism and managing the migrant crisis. They cover up the other issues. When we look at the obligations EU should have fulfilled I don't see any reason why Turkey should maintain the migrant deal." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH EU MINISTER, OMER CELIK, SAYING: "At this point we understand that it has become clear EU will not take an objective and fair stance on visa liberalisation. This is clear. We spoke many times. It is not fair and objective when they tighten their terror laws and ask us to loosen up ours. We cannot loosen up our terror laws under these circumstances." CELIK'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH EU MINISTER, OMER CELIK, SAYING: "Turkey has done everything on its part regarding the migrant deal but the EU didn't keep any of its promises. Promises and wishful thinking doesn't mean that you are keeping your promises or fulfilling your obligations stemming from the deal. In fact, the living conditions of migrants in Europe have deteriorated." INTERVIEWERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH EU MINISTER, OMER CELIK, SAYING: "In my opinion it has come to light that the European Union doesn't keep its promises. This is my personal opinion. Turkey has no liability to carry out this deal. Therefore, Turkey may reassess the migrant deal whenever and how it wants. I believe it is time to reassess this deal. But as I said, I don't say this in connection with the crisis with Netherlands." CELIK'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH EU MINISTER, OMER CELIK, SAYING: "We have discussed a broad package of sanctions during the cabinet meeting chaired by our prime minister. The measures that will be taken for the moment were unveiled after the cabinet meeting. But as our president has said, it doesn't stop here. We are working on new measures." JOURNALISTS LISTENING
- Embargoed: 29th March 2017 08:44
- Keywords: Turkey Netherlands security meeting referendum row diplomacy relations Europe migrants deal minister Omer Celik
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
- City: ANKARA, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001682JWAV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The European Union has not done its part in the migration deal with Turkey and the agreement should be reassessed, Turkey's minister for EU Affairs said in an interview on Tuesday (March 14).
Speaking to Reuters in Ankara late on Tuesday evening, Omer Celik said it had become clear the bloc would not take a fair stance on its promise to grant Turkish people visa-free travel.
It was time for Turkey to re-evaluate the migrant agreement, Celik said.
Discussing the diplomatic row with the Netherlands, Celik did not rule out further sanctions against the NATO ally. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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