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EU CAN'T TEACH DEMOCRACY LESSON TO TURKEY: ERDOGAN
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:52PM GMT
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Turkey's president has hit back at the European Union's condemnation
of the Turkish police raids on opposition media, stating that the
bloc has no right to give Ankara a "democracy lesson."
"They say they will give a democracy lesson to Turkey. Take the trouble
to come here, so that Turkey can give you a lesson in democracy,"
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in the city of Konya on Tuesday.
He further criticized Brussels for its dealings with Egypt and Syria,
adding that Turkey would never be the EU's "doorman."
"They've been dragging feet over the last decade.... Sorry, but we
are not the EU's doorman," the Turkish president said in reference
to accession negotiations between Ankara and the EU, adding, "Let me
repeat it, those who try to advise Turkey by shaking their finger,
just like a governess, must understand that they are no longer facing
the old Turkey."
Erdogan also slammed Europe for "rising racism, Islamophobia and
discrimination."
EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has called on Turkey to
be consistent with its commitments to the new executive administration
in Brussels, saying that she was totally "surprised" at the recent
arrests of high-profile Turkish media activists.
Turkish security forces stormed the offices of Samanyolu TV network
and Zaman daily newspaper in the city of Istanbul on Sunday. Both
the television network and the newspaper are said to be close to the
self-exiled US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen.
Erdogan has accused Gulen and his supporters of being behind last
year's online leaks and wiretaps that disclosed major corruption in
Erdogan's inner circle. Gulen has repeatedly denied any involvement.
MP/HMV/SS
http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/12/17/390677/eu-cant-teach-turkey-democracy/
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:52PM GMT
Related Interviews:
US 'won't censure' Turkey repression
'Turkey's move for Kobani skeptical'
Related Viewpoints:
Defending Kobani: Turkey's hesitation
Turkey's president has hit back at the European Union's condemnation
of the Turkish police raids on opposition media, stating that the
bloc has no right to give Ankara a "democracy lesson."
"They say they will give a democracy lesson to Turkey. Take the trouble
to come here, so that Turkey can give you a lesson in democracy,"
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in the city of Konya on Tuesday.
He further criticized Brussels for its dealings with Egypt and Syria,
adding that Turkey would never be the EU's "doorman."
"They've been dragging feet over the last decade.... Sorry, but we
are not the EU's doorman," the Turkish president said in reference
to accession negotiations between Ankara and the EU, adding, "Let me
repeat it, those who try to advise Turkey by shaking their finger,
just like a governess, must understand that they are no longer facing
the old Turkey."
Erdogan also slammed Europe for "rising racism, Islamophobia and
discrimination."
EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has called on Turkey to
be consistent with its commitments to the new executive administration
in Brussels, saying that she was totally "surprised" at the recent
arrests of high-profile Turkish media activists.
Turkish security forces stormed the offices of Samanyolu TV network
and Zaman daily newspaper in the city of Istanbul on Sunday. Both
the television network and the newspaper are said to be close to the
self-exiled US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen.
Erdogan has accused Gulen and his supporters of being behind last
year's online leaks and wiretaps that disclosed major corruption in
Erdogan's inner circle. Gulen has repeatedly denied any involvement.
MP/HMV/SS
http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/12/17/390677/eu-cant-teach-turkey-democracy/