Tensions between the European Union and Turkey have escalated in recent days following the decision of countries like Holland to ban Turkish politicians from election campaigning for Erdogan to Turkish expats in their country.
Turkey has responded with threats of sanctions including the cancellation of the migrant deal it signed with the Union last March to stem migrant flows from entering Europe via Greece, unless it gets visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.
Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who has repeatedly claimed that the EU is not keen on delivering promises, told CNN Turk, that Turkey would table a final document to the bloc “and either it will all be cancelled, including the visa liberalization and migrant deal, or it will all be implemented’.
Turkey had again warned the EU in August that the migrant deal would be called off if the visa liberalization program was not put in place. Turkey was to receive billions of euros in exchange for its efforts to stem the flow of refugees into Europe. Additionally, Brussels had promised to lift short-term visa requirements on Turkish citizens.
“It is our observation that the European Union is mocking us. Our patience is not inexhaustible. Our citizens are expecting results. If there is visa liberalization, then we will take steps in relation to the migration agreement given that the deal was based on this requirement,’’ Cavusoglu said.
”We’ve have fulfilled our obligations under the agreement. Europe must stop mocking us on the visa issue or we will take the necessary steps.’’
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, the EU said it expects Ankara to comply with the migration deal.
“We remain committed to the spokeswoman application of the EU-Turkey (agreement),” the spokeswoman said.
