Reviewing Turkey-EU ties compulsory: PM Yıldırım

ANKARA

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It is compulsory for Turkey and the European Union to review ties, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said, adding that tension between Ankara and Brussels would cost the EU more than it would to Turkey. 

“It’s true that breaking ties with Turkey will cost a lot to Turkey, but it will cost the EU more. This needs to be reviewed. They [EU] should give up imposing double-standards,” Yıldırım told private broadcaster NTV late March 29. 

Accusing the EU of being influenced by terror organizations such as the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other leftist terror groups, and of making judgements on Turkey, Yıldırım said Turkey would never accept this. 

The relationship between Turkey and the EU cannot continue like this as the latter has violated almost all its values and principles when it comes to Turkey and its political activities in European countries, he added, referring to Germany and the Netherlands’ ban on Turkish ministers from meeting Turkish communities ahead of the April 16 referendum.

“European countries have their taken side in the referendum campaigns. They have said they did not approve our constitutional changes and interfered in our domestic affairs. This is unacceptable,” he said. 

“You can do everything to Turkey but you cannot impose anything on the Turkish people. My people see this. They will give the necessary answer on April 16. They will regret what they did. If they continue like this, reviewing Turkey-EU ties will become compulsory,” he added.