EU has double standards on terrorism: EU minister
ANKARA - Anadolu Agency
Turkish European Union Affairs Minister Ömer Çelik accused the EU of having “double standards” in cooperating with his country on fight against terrorism on Dec. 2.
The EU does not show same solidarity with Turkey in fight against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as it shows against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), Çelik told reporters in Sofia after meeting Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva.
Çelik mentioned that some of the European leaders are yet to visit Turkey for solidarity against the last year's defeated coup.
“It is a weakness of the EU that it does not declare FETÖ a terrorist organization,” he said.
The minister underlined that Turkey’s fight against ISIL, PKK and FETÖ is not only for its own safety but also for the security of Europe.
“Some of them are realizing it now but some will understand when it is too late,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of the country, Çelik said “Turkey is a key country for the EU” in the context of economic development and security issues.
However, he said, the bloc has double standards toward Turkey in its EU membership bid.
“You demand Turkey to make political reforms and then you cut funds for the reforms. This is a double standard and the EU should give up the practice of this double standard,” he said.
The minister also criticized the EU for not providing the funds promised for Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Turkey has spent $25 billion while hosting over 3 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, Çelik said.
