Turkish Republic Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş, met with London’s local press members for a gathering widely on contemporary Turkish and EU relations.
As many concerns and questions have been unfolded in the wake of the European Parliament’s sudden action of freezing the negotiations with Turkey for the long-awaited visa-free travel phase, Mr Kurtulmuş answered questions alongside referring to the related events.
“EU CANNOT AFFORD LOSING TURKEY”
Meeting with the local press at the Turkish Embassy Residence on 27 November in central London, Mr Kurtulmuş referred to the latest developments on The European Parliament’s vote last week to freeze membership talks with Turkey over its “disproportionate” post-coup crackdown.
Referring to the action as “unfortunate”, Mr Kurtulmuş said EU cannot afford losing Turkey, especially after how far two parties have come around. Mr Kurtulmuş also tackled the post-coup conjuncture and how Turkey had very little help and support from the European countries, after how much its democracy got exploited and damaged through the coup symphatizans.
“Unfortunately we see that the main intention behind the EP’s latest actions rely on a solid prejudice against Turkey. This does not harm us but nor makes anything easier for the EU itself either. Therefore, EU should be wise enough to tackle this process as it is all up to them.
“Since 1963, Turkey is striving to become an EU member but it also should be known that Turkey is not a country to be stood up forever”
Answering Londra Gazete’s questions as well, Mr Kurtulmuş tackled the ambiguity on the Ankara Agreement visa scheme that allows Turkish citizens to work and live in the UK by saying no one should be worried if they have achieved obtaining their visas through legal ways.
“Turkish people are the cultural heritage of Europe, we do blend well but still are able to relive our culture. Therefore, no one should worry about their lives in Europe and we are always in touch with European countries to see and refer to concerns”