Erdogan says Turkish parliament will block EU refugee deal if no visa-free travel

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (24 May) warned the European Union that lawmakers would block legislation related to the landmark deal to stem the flow of refugees to Europe if Ankara was not granted its key demand of visa-free travel.

“If that is not what will happen […] no decision and no law in the framework of the readmission agreement will come out of the parliament of the Turkish Republic,” Erdoğan said at the close of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.

There have been growing indications Turks will not be given the visa-free travel by the target of the end of this month and Chancellor Angela Merkel warned after talks with Erdoğan on Monday (23 May) that the target was unlikely to be met.

Merkel warns Erdogan his authoritarian drift endangers visa deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (23 May) of her “deep concern” over the state of democracy in Turkey and voiced doubt that a plan to offer Turks visa-free travel to the EU would be implemented on time.

The agreement – which is already being implemented – saw Turkey pledge to work to stop refugees cross the Aegean to Europe and also readmit refugees who crossed illegally.

EU officials have hailed the success of the deal, but Ankara has grown increasingly uneasy about the bloc’s wariness to grant it the visa-free travel to the passport free Schengen Area it was offered in return.

Erdoğan also complained about the EU’s wariness in handing over to Turkey a promise of €3 billion followed by another 3 billion to help Syrian refugees.

“Turkey is not asking for favours what we want is honesty,” Erdoğan said.

“Turkey is supposed to fulfil criteria? What criteria are these I ask you?” he asked in an angry tirade that overshadowed the end of the summit.

EU leaders are insisting that Turkey abides by 72 conditions before the visa exemption takes place, with a demand to change counter-terror laws proving particularly contentious.

The EU wants Ankara to narrow its definition of terror to stop prosecuting academics and journalists for publishing “terror propaganda”.

Erdogan says Turkey will not change its anti-terrorism law

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday (7 May) accused European nations of hypocrisy in pressing his country on terror laws while “sidelining democracy” at home in their own fight against terrorism.

Turkey has refused to do so, pointing out it is in the midst of a campaign against Kurdish militants.

Erdoğan complained Latin American countries were not asked such strict conditions as Turkey to be given visa-free travel.

“Turkey on the other hand is a candidate country so why are you asking for these conditions, all these question marks?” he said.

Journalists criticise the EU's rapprochement with Turkey

In their effort to stem the refugee crisis, the EU has betrayed Turkish journalists and ordinary citizens, who have courageously stood up to the authoritarian plans of the government, journalistic organisations said yesterday (15 December).

Read more with Euractiv

Poland, EU adopt conciliatory tone over top court row

Poland's rightwing government and the European Commission said yesterday (24 May) they were upbeat about finding a solution that would roll back Warsaw's overhaul of the top Polish court, which critics warn endangers its independence.