Turkey to reevaluate refugee deal with European Union: Minister

Turkish European Union Affairs Minister Omer Celik says time has come for the Ankara government to reassess its controversial refugee deal with the 28-nation bloc, which would grant Turkish citizens visa-free travel through most of Europe.

“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 the EU should have fulfilled I don’t see any reason why Turkey should maintain the migrant deal,” Celik told Reuters on Wednesday.

He added, “At this point we understand that it has become clear EU will not take an objective and fair stance on visa liberalization. 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.”

The Turkish minister further asserted that his country “has done everything on its part regarding the migrant deal but the EU didn't keep any of its promises.”

“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,” Celik said.

The remarks came a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that the migration agreement struck last year between Turkey and the EU could be abolished in case the European Union does not grant a visa exemption to Turkish nationals.

In March 2016, Turkey and the EU sealed a controversial deal intended to stem the flow of refugees from Syria and other troubled countries to Europe in return for financial and political rewards for Ankara.

Under the agreement, the bloc will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with money, visa liberalization and progress in its EU membership negotiations.

Critics, however, have accused Turkey of blackmailing Europe over the refugee crisis.

EA