Speaking at a joint press conference Thursday, Yildirim was quoted as saying that, “Anti-terror law is the issue that we can not agree on”.
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Turkey removed nearly 8,000 security personnel from duty late on Thursday, according to state media, as the purge continued of those suspected of links to the 15 July failed coup. The ministers are also set to discuss joint efforts to combat terrorism and plan to focus on developing the EU’s global strategy during their talks.
Amanda Paul, senior policy analyst and Turkey specialist at the European Policy Center, an independent Brussels think-tank, said that the deal was “hanging by a thread” and had been flawed from the beginning – though she said it’s impossible to predict whether and how long it will last.
“We have made it clear to the European Union and Mr Schulz that we can not amend our anti-terror laws under the current circumstances. Visa-free travel can happen after. the completion of all the criteria, including the anti-terror law”.
“We as Turkey have made our stance clear: there will be absolutely no wavering, no stepping back regarding the fight against terrorism”, Yildirim said.
But arrival comments from participants clearly indicated that how to balance relations so they can pressure Ankara on its human rights record without jeopardizing the refugee pact was the main issue on their minds. “However much Turkey merits our criticisms. from our geostrategic point of view, it’s more important for Turkey to be on our side than in some else’s camp”.
The agreement commits Turkey to take back migrants from Syria and elsewhere attempting to enter the European Union from Turkey illegally and has strongly reduced the migrant influx into the European Union since it was fully implemented in March.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Thursday insisted his country would not relax its contested anti-terror laws, a key condition laid down by the European Union (EU) for giving Turks visa-free access to the bloc.
Despite the rhetoric from Turkish officials threatening to pull the plug on the deal, Ülgen doesn’t believe Ankara intends to completely dump the agreement, should visa liberalization talks not succeed by October.
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Following his visit to Turkey, Schulz said: “Today’s meetings were a good opportunity to hold a frank, open and productive discussion on the state of EU-Turkey relations after weeks of undue estrangement”. “It’s also a good deal for Turkey in many respects, and it keeps a dialogue going between the two”.
