Reactions of officials from Turkey on decision of EP to freeze talks
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım: ‘Breaking off relations with EU would harm Turkey but it would harm Europe 3 times more’
"It does not suit our character to abide with others’ orders and directions… We have come to these days by not giving in to the authority of 16 states. This must be seen by everyone. What’s happening in EU does not reflect the reality in Turkey.
There are two organizations that poison the EU countries. One is PKK, the other is FETÖ. These two launch campaigns from Europe mercilessly in order to slander Turkey. Especially the FETÖ supporters: they pour loads of money that they collect from Muslim to the lobby firms there (Europe)… I admit that bringing relations of Turkey with Europe to a point of a break off would be harmful for Turkey; however, it would harm Europe three times more. And, as for Shanghai, this should not be seen as an alternative to EU. Because of the geopolitical location of Turkey, we need to develop our relations with other countries, too. Therefore, we must observe the course of world (politics): there are the realities of China, India, and Pakistan. These countries are growing rapidly. Europe is stagnant now. So, it is only natural for us to advance our relations (with others). This is not a threat: we need to develop our relations both politically and economically. We are not saying there is Shanghai if there is no EU.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Çavuşoğlu: ‘This decision is humiliating both EU and EP’
“Instead of having an intention and a desire to be a global actor, they (EU) have begun to withdraw into themselves in a cowardly way. First it was plans of stopping enlargement, then, it was unnecessary blockage of other countries and Turkey. And, this is actually an indication of the vulnerability that EU has fallen into… If they want to boss around Turkey this way, we completely reject this! They are not in a state to give others lessons… This decision (to freeze talks) is humiliating the EU and EP and it has no validity for us. And, our public does not care, either.”
Chair of Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: ‘There will be more to it'
“The person who had signed the Ankara Treaty for Turkey’s EU membership was İsmet İnönü. He had led the way in 1963 by saying ‘we must be a part of the modern world.’ But today, because of the point we come to in Turkey in terms of human rights and lack of principles such as democratic standards and rule of law, they (EP) froze the process. Talks will not be held for some time. This is a very heavy sanction for us. And, there will be more to this, both economically and politically.”
Chair of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahçeli: ‘EP has validated its insincerity towards Turkey’
“So, European Parliament has approved – in a brazen way - the resolution suggesting a freeze of Turkey’s accession talks with the EU. This politically and legally non-binding scandolous decision was given a yes vote by 479 MEPs and a nay vote by 37; and, 107 abstained. European Parliament has been given in to terror. It has validated its insincere and cold perception about Turkey; and, it has once again demonstrated its ill-will. Turkish nation rejects this decision of EP. And, the Nationalist Movement Party condemns this baseless deision... Our Turkish parliamentarians there should object to this clownish approach where they try to mess with the integrity of Turkey and slander our country. And, this objection must be demonstrated immediately. It’s our natural right to hear the voice of our siblings who have not lost their identitites and forgotten the lands they were born in...”
Sources: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/yildirim-ab-ile-iliskileri-koparmak-turkiye-ye-zarar-verir-136932.html
https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/cavusoglu-bu-karar-ab-ve-ap-yi-kucuk-dusuruyor-136916.html
https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/ap-nin-karari-sonrasi-bahceli-art-niyetini-tekrar-gozler-onune-serdi-136908.html
https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/kilicdaroglu-ndan-ap-nin-kararina-iliskin-ilk-aciklama-arkasi-gelecektir-136896.html