Turkey threatens to cancel refugee deal in row with EU

Turkish President Rajab Tayyib Erdoghan has threatened to end a contentious agreement with the EU, aimed at halting the refugee influx into the continent as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate.

Speaking in a televised address on Thursday, Erdogan said the EU could "forget about" the deal, which was sealed in March 2016 to stem the flow of refugees to Europe in return for financial and political rewards for Ankara.

Erdogan further accused the European Union of not sticking to a promise to grant Turkish nationals the right to travel visa-free in Europe.

He also censured a recent ruling by the EU's top court in favor of curbs on wearing headscarves, accusing the body of having launched a "crusade" against Islam.

“The European Union's court, the European Court of Justice (ECJ), my esteemed brothers, have started a crusade struggle against the (Muslim) crescent," he said.

On Tuesday, the ECJ said it is okay if a firm has an internal rule banning the wearing of "any political, philosophical or religious sign" such as headscarves.

“Where is freedom of religion?" Erdogan asked. "Shame on your European Union acquis. Shame on your values. Shame on your law and justice!"

Erdogan said, "Europe is swiftly rolling back to the days before World War II." 

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC), the EU's politically independent executive arm, said on Thursday that the bloc expects Turkey to honor the refugee deal.

"We remain committed to the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement.... This is an engagement of mutual trust and delivery and we expect that both sides will comply with their commitments," EC spokesman, Margaritis Schinas, said.

In a related development, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said there was "no difference" between the ruling Dutch liberals and the "fascist" politician Geert Wilders, adding “they have the same mentality."

Cavusoglu made the remarks, cited by the state-run Anadolu news agency, a day after general elections were held in the Netherlands.

With 99 percent of votes counted, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s VVD Liberal party has won 33 of parliament's 150 seats while far-right Wilders of the PVV Party is second with 20 seats.

SS