Make your final decision on Turkey, Erdogan tells EU

By Tutku Senen

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on the EU to make a final decision on Turkey’s accession to the union.

Speaking ahead of an annual EU report assessing Turkey’s progress on EU membership and visa-free travel due later in the day, Erdogan said: "They shamelessly say that Turkey’s EU negotiations should be reviewed. You are late. Review it as soon as possible.

"But do not just review, make your final decision."

The president reiterated the Turkish government's determination to fight terror, saying thousands of people have been martyred in this struggle.

"If you will review Turkey’s EU negotiations because Turkey fights honorably against terrorism, you are late. Our struggle with terrorism will continue till the end," he said.

Turkey applied to join the union in 1987 and negotiations began in 2005. As part of a deal agreed last year to stem the tide of refugees to Europe, Turkey was promised a relaxation of travel restrictions for its nationals and an acceleration of its membership application.

However, since the July 15 coup attempt, relations between Ankara and Brussels have fallen to a low as Turkish politicians lament the EU’s muted response to the attempted takeover and EU leaders criticize Turkey over widespread arrests and job suspensions in its wake.

Erdogan also commented on the recent detentions of lawmakers from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), for failing to answer a summons linked to a counter-terrorism investigation.

"They got into the parliament, [but] they are challenging the state. They say 'You can not call me to interrogation'. Who are you? Your immunity was lifted. Of course, the justice will judge you.

"You become a regular citizen after your immunity is lifted and you will account for [your actions]," he said, adding "You said that YPG and PKK are behind you. Now let's see if they can save you."

Since last Friday, a total of 10 HDP lawmakers, including co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, have been remanded in custody for failing to answer public prosecutors’ summons concerning an ongoing counter-terrorism probe.

The HDP, on Sunday, announced the suspension of its parliamentary activities following the arrests.

The government has accused the HDP of links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.

Erdogan also warned the West against opening their doors to "the terrorists who escaped from Turkey," and called on the EU to embrace "Syrian and African sufferers" instead of "terrorists and supporters of terrorism."

"I want them to know that it will hit them like a boomerang. You declare PKK as a terrorist organization while you open the European Parliament's doors and corridors to PKK's leaders and members," he said.

"Is it possible to say 'yes' to this? This is hypocrisy."