Erdogan slams EU’s lack of solidarity amid coup attempt

BERLIN

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday criticized European leaders for failing to show solidarity with Turkey during a recent coup attempt, while they raised concerns about the rule of law.

Erdogan told Germany’s RTL television that German Chancellor Angela Merkel called him three days after the July 15 defeated coup to condemn the attempted overthrow but she also expressed fears regarding investigations into the overthrow attempt.

“All these make us sad. Let them leave it to us to do what is line with our domestic rule of law. We are doing nothing out of for revenge,” he said, emphasizing that all measures taken after the coup attempt with relevant laws.

Erdogan expressed regret that there has not yet been any high-level European visitor to Turkey since July 15, while the coup attempt, which was one of the greatest attacks Turkish democracy, was defeated by the Turkish people.

The overthrow bid organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Gulen left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Erdogan renewed Turkish commitment to refugee deal signed earlier this year, but during the he also emphasized that the future of the agreement would depend on the EU’s concrete steps to fulfill its promises made to Ankara.

“Visa liberalization and readmission are very important, the process is ongoing. these will be simultaneous steps. But unfortunately Europe has not yet delivered on its promises,” he said, in remarks translated to German from Turkish.

Erdogan criticized the EU’s reluctance to make progress on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens, despite promises made as part of the deal.

The EU-Turkey refugee deal aims to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The deal also allows for the acceleration of Turkey’s EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on the condition that Ankara meets 72 requirements set by the EU.

Ankara has met most of the requirements, but the EU’s demands for change in Turkey’s anti-terrorism law have led to a deadlock in negotiations.