Turkish President Erdogan Says 'Millions' Of Refugees Heading To Europe

DW: Erdogan warns 'millions' of refugees heading to Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized Turkey's actions at the Greek border, saying that it was "wholly unacceptable" for Recep Tayyip Erdogan to punish migrants because of his dissatisfaction with Europe.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to bus thousands of migrants from refugee camps to Turkey's border with Greece was the wrong approach, even if Ankara "currently does not feel sufficiently supported" by Europe.

"But despite all the willingness to negotiate on providing yet more support [for Turkey], it is wholly unacceptable to then take this out on refugees," Merkel said of Erdogan's decision. She said he was leading desperate people into a "cul-de-sac," with Greece already making it clear it does not intend to grant them entry.

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More News On Turkish President Erdogan Saying That 'Millions' Of Refugees Are Heading To Europe

President Erdogan says 'MILLIONS' of migrants will head to Europe and the continent must share the migrant 'burden' after opening Turkey's borders, as Greeks say they fear 'invasion' --Daily Mail
Turkey says millions of migrants may head to EU -- BBC
Erdogan threatens Europe with 'millions' of migrants -- AFP
Migrant Shot Dead by Greek Police as Border Clashes Grow -- Summit News
Migrants clash with Greek police at Turkey, Europe border -- DW
Greece blocks thousands of migrants trying to enter from Turkey -- France 24
Turkey-EU standoff: Greece blocks refugees stranded in Turkey -- Al Jazeera
Syrian migrant killed as thousands attempt to cross from Turkey into Greece -- France 24

Has The EU-Turkey Refugee Deal Collapse?

DW: Will the EU-Turkey refugee deal collapse?

The EU is skeptical about rumors that Turkey may let more Syrian refugees into Europe, pointing out that the "refugee deal" is still in place. But just how dependent is the EU on Turkey?

Rumors that Turkey might open its borders and allow Syrian refugees to enter the European Union began swirling shortly after the latest deadly skirmish between Turkish and Syrian forces in Idlib province on Thursday.

Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said Turkey would no longer be able to keep refugees from entering Greece. Turkish media outlets ran reports claiming that busses full of refugees had been seen making their way to Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria.

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WNU Editor: The EU-Turkey refugee deal is definitely "dead" .... Thousands Of Migrants Swarm The Greek And Bulgarian Border.

Turkey Has Opened The Idlib Border And Is Now Allowing Syrian Refugees Free Passage To Europe

Internally displaced Syrian holds opposition flag in support of Turkish army and Turkey-backed Syrian rebels at Bab el-Salam border crossing in Syria (Reuters)

Middle East Eye: Turkey opens Idlib border and allows Syrian refugees free passage to Europe

Route out of northwestern Syria opened for 72 hours, officials tell MEE, after 29 Turkish troops killed in attack by pro-Assad forces.

Turkey decided to immediately open its southwestern border with Syria and allow Syrians fleeing the pro-government forces' assault free passage to Europe for the next 72 hours, Turkish official sources told Middle East Eye.

A senior Turkish official said Syrian refugees headed towards Europe won't be stopped either on land or by sea.

The official said Ankara had ordered police, gendarmerie, border guards and sea guards to stand down on Thursday if they detected any Syrian refugees trying to cross into Europe.

The decision came after a security meeting chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late on Thursday.

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Update #1: As more Turkish troops killed, Ankara says it will not stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe (Reuters)
Update #2: Turkey to allow Syrian refugees passage to Europe (The Hill)

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. Expect another refugee-migration crisis on the borders of Europe. But I think the reaction from Europe is going to be different. With the coronavirus outbreak currently spreading throughout Europe, I can easily see governments moving in the coming weeks to implement quarantines and isolating infected patients to contain the disease. They are not going to permit hundreds of thousands of refugees to pour into the continent and break this containment.

Turkish President Erdogan Threatens To Flood Europe With Syrian Refugees

“Turkey can no longer afford to be a mere onlooker to the situation east of the Euphrates” https://t.co/LoGcs0cfO4 pic.twitter.com/SVuZ5o0aiN

— Turkish Presidency (@trpresidency) September 5, 2019

DW: Turkey threatens to 'open the gates' to Europe for refugees

The Turkish president has vowed to unblock what was once considered the main gateway for refugees seeking sanctuary in Europe. Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded the US and the EU create a safe zone in northern Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday threatened to reopen a route for Syrian refugees to reach Europe if it does not receive more support for a a resettlement plan centered on northern Syria.

Erdogan has urged the US to take further action on establishing a so-called safe zone in northeast Syria, where Washington has a military presence in support of a Kurdish-led force fighting the "Islamic State" militant group.

"This either happens or otherwise we will have to open the gates," said Erdogan. "Either you will provide support, or excuse us, but we are not going to carry this weight alone. We have not been able to get help from the international community, namely the European Union."

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More News On Turkish President Erdogan Threatening To Flood Europe With Syrian Refugees

Syria war: Turkey warns Europe of new migrant wave -- BBC
Turkey plans to return one million Syrians, warns of new migrant wave in Europe -- Reuters
Turkey threatens to open gates for Syria refugees to go West -- AP
Turkey may open gates to Europe if no help given, Erdoğan says -- Daily Sabah
Turkey's Erdogan threatens to 'open the gates,' allow Syrian refugees to leave for Western countries -- FOX News
Erdogan threatens Europe with Syrian refugees -- Middle East Eye

Turkey Shrugs-Off EU Sanctions Over Cyprus Natural Gas Drilling

Al Jazeera: Turkey says EU measures won't deter it from drilling off Cyprus

Statement by foreign ministry comes after EU takes punitive steps against Ankara's activities in Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey has said punitive European Union measures against it will not deter it from continuing to search for oil and gas off the coast of Cyprus.

On Monday, the foreign ministers of the EU agreed to call off high-level political meetings, suspend negotiations on an aviation deal and reduce EU accession funding earmarked for Turkey.

The ministers of the 28-member bloc, of which Cyprus is a member, also invited the European Investment Bank to review its lending activities in Turkey, notably with regard to sovereign-backed lending.

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WNU Editor: The Turks are laughing at the EU.

More News On Turkey's Reaction To EU Sanctions Over Cyprus Natural Gas Drilling

Turkey: EU sanctions over gas drilling ‘worthless’ -- AP
Turkey says EU funding cuts will not affect its drilling off Cyprus -- Reuters
Turkey Won’t Back Down From Cyprus Oil Drilling Despite EU Sanctions -- OilPrice.com
Turkey vows to continue drilling for gas off Cyprus coast -- TASS
European Council’s restrictive measures no deterrent for Turkey to continue drilling in Eastern Mediterranean -- Daily Sabah
‘Biased and partisan’ EU sanctions won’t affect our drilling off Cyprus – Turkey’s foreign ministry -- RT
Turkey to ramp up EastMed drilling in response to EU sanctions -- Politico

EU To Penalize Turkey For Drilling Oil In Cyprus Waters

DW: EU penalizes Turkey over Cyprus offshore drilling

Brussels is to impose punitive measures on Ankara over its offshore gas drilling activities near Cyprus.

The European Union agreed political and financial sanctions against Turkey on Monday as a punishment for Ankara's persistence in gas drilling operations off Cyprus, despite repeated warnings from the bloc.

The EU's head of foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, said that "conclusions on Turkey have been adopted and they will be made public in the coming hours."

The details should me made available later on Monday and are expected to involve a reduction in EU funding for Turkey as well as stalling negotiations with the EU over possible accession.

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Update #1: EU agrees measures against Turkey for Cyprus drilling (AFP)
Update #2: EU Agrees To Sanction Turkey For Drilling In Cypriot Waters (Zero Hedge)

WNU Editor: Turkey's claims are ridiculous (see above map). The EU's penalties are also miniscule and ridiculous. The U.S. reaction is something else entirely, and (I predict) will result in a Turkish response .... US to end arms embargo on Southern Cyprus, as Turkey continues drilling for oil (Middle East Monitor).

French President Macron To Turkish President Erdogan: No Chance Of Turkey Joining EU 'Right Now'

BBC: Macron tells Erdogan: No chance of Turkey joining EU

French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that there is no chance of progress towards Turkey joining the European Union at present.

At a joint news conference in Paris, Mr Macron said there were differences over human rights since Turkey's purges following a failed coup in 2016.

Mr Erdogan said Turkey was tired of constantly imploring to join the EU.

He lashed out at a journalist who asked about claims Turkey sent arms to Syria.

The journalist had asked him about a story in Cumhuriyet newspaper from 2015 which suggested that Turkish intelligence had sent the supplies.

Mr Erdogan responded by accusing the journalist of talking like a member of the Gulenist movement, which he blames for the 2016 coup.

"When you ask your questions, be careful on this point. And do not speak with the words of another," he said.

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WNU Editor: Joining the EU has always been one of Turkish President Erdogan's top policy goals .... Turkey Seeks Reset With EU (VOA). French President Macron's suggestion that an EU-Turkey partnership be established instead falls short of what he wants .... France's Macron Suggests EU Partnership With Turkey (US News and World Report/AP). My prediction .... as long as President Erdogan stays in power, there will be little if any progress in EU - Turkish relations.

EU Parliament Moves To Drop Accession Talks With Turkey

DW: European parliament votes to suspend Turkey EU accession talks

The parliament concluded that Turkey has abandoned the fundamental principles of democracy. The same day, Turkish police detained a group of human rights activists, including Amnesty International's Turkey director.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday voted for the suspension of membership talks with Turkey.

The vote on the proposal passed by a wide margin, with support from the biggest party groups.

Proponents of the measure say Erdogan's crackdown on opposition forces and the media mean Ankara cannot meet the bloc's democratic criteria.

However, the parliament has little sway on the issue. The European Commission and EU member state governments have so far ignored calls for the process, already effectively in limbo, to be formally suspended.

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WNU Editor: Turkey is refusing to accept the fact that they have just been told by the EU to get out .... EU parliament calls for Turkey accession talks to be suspended (Reuters). More here .... Ankara says EU MPs’ call to freeze ties ‘null and void’ (Daily Hurriyet News). Memo to Turkey .... your dreams of joining Europe have been rejected today .... accept it.

More News On The EU Parliament Moving To Drop Accession Talks With Turkey

EU Parliament Advises Freeze of Turkey's Membership Talks -- AP
European Parliament votes to accept proposal to suspend Turkey’s EU accession talks -- Hurriyet Daily News
MEPs say Turkey accession talks should be suspended -- Politico
EU Parliament Advises Freeze of Turkey’s Membership Talks Over Human Rights and Democracy Concerns -- Fortune
EU Parliament votes for Turkish accession talks to be suspended -- RT

EU Issues Warning On Turkey Over Violations Of Greek Air Space

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet © Murad Sezer / Reuters

Euractiv: EU warns Turkey after it violates Greek airspace 141 times in one day

Turkish aeroplanes and helicopters illegally entered Greece’s airspace 141 times yesterday (15 May), the Hellenic National Defence General Staff reported.

According to Greek press reports, 20 Turkish F-16, 5 CN-235 maritime surveillance aircraft and 19 helicopters entered the Athens flight information region (FIR) without submitting a flight plan.

In all cases, Turkish aircraft were identified and intercepted by Greek fighters, while in nine cases the interception process resulted in near combat situations.

In addition, two Turkish missile boats entered Greek territorial waters off the southeast Aegean island of Agathonisi.

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WNU Editor: Turkey has a different point of view when it comes to the EU and NATO .... NATO measures to protect Turkey's airspace so far insufficient, minister says (Reuters).

More News On The EU Issuing A Warning On Turkey Over Violations Of Greek Air Space

Turkey Continues to Violate Greek Territorial Waters, Airspace -- Greek Reporter
Turkey Must Respect Sovereignty of EU Member States, Says EU Spokesperson Kocijancic -- Greek Reporter
Turkish F-16s violate Greek airspace -- Ekathimerini

Turkish President Erdogan Warns Europeans 'Will Not Walk Safely' If Diplomatic Row Continues

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a ceremony marking the 102nd anniversary of Battle of Canakkale, also known as the Gallipoli Campaign, in Canakkale, Turkey, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Reuters: Erdogan warns Europeans 'will not walk safely' if attitude persists

ANKARA (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Europeans would not be able to walk safely on the streets if they kept up their current attitude towards Turkey, his latest salvo in a row over campaigning by Turkish politicians in Europe.

Turkey has been embroiled in a dispute with Germany and the Netherlands over campaign appearances by Turkish officials seeking to drum up support for an April 16 referendum that could boost Erdogan's powers.

Ankara has accused its European allies of using "Nazi methods" by banning Turkish ministers from addressing rallies in Europe over security concerns. The comments have led to a sharp deterioration in ties with the European Union, which Turkey still aspires to join.

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Update #1: Erdogan's rhetoric threatens Turkey's future relations with EU (Euronews).
Update #2: Turkey's Erdogan warns Europeans 'will not walk safely on the streets' if diplomatic row continues (The Independent)

WNU Editor: With allies like this .... who needs enemies.

The Growing War Of Words between Turkey And EU member States

Mirror: Turkish President Erdogan faces TOTAL ban from EU as Denmark joins Netherlands and Germany in turning minsters away

The Danish prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has postponed the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim following rising tensions between Ankara, The Hague and Berlin

The government of Turkey's president Recip Tayyip Erdogan is facing a total ban from EU states as Denmark joins the Netherlands and Germany in turning away his ministers.

The Danish prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has postponed the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim following rising tensions between Ankara, The Hague and Berlin.

It comes after Erdogan warned the Netherlands it will "pay" after his country's minister's were barred from speaking in Rotterdam.

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More News On Fraying Relations Between Turkey And EU Member States

Tensions rising between Turkish, European leaders before elections -- CNN
Denmark warns Turkish PM to postpone visit as Germany mulls legal options -- DW
Danish PM proposes Turkish PM postpones visit -- Reuters
Turkish PM’s visit to Denmark postponed over referendum rallies row -- RT
Dutch PM: Turkish president must stop provocation, apologize for comments -- Reuters
German minister says there are limits for Turks wanting to campaign -- Reuters
Turkey's president: 'Nazism is alive in the West' -- USA Today
Turkish leader says Dutch will 'pay the price' for insult -- AP
Turkey's Erdogan says Netherlands acting like a 'banana republic' -- Reuters
Erdogan accuses Netherlands of ‘Nazism,’ urges intl sanctions as diplomatic row deepens -- RT
Mevlut Cavusoglu continues verbal assault on Holland -- Al Jazeera
Turkey's Cavusoglu: Netherlands is 'capital of fascism' -- DW

Turkish President Erdogan Threatens To Flood Europe With Millions Of Refugees

DW: Erdogan threatens to open borders after European Parliament vote

Turkish President Erdogan has said his country will allow migrants to leave Turkey for Europe if the EU continues to push Ankara. Berlin has said sticking to an EU-Turkey migrant deal is in all parties' interest.

One day after the European Parliament voted in favor of freezing EU membership talks with Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey could open its borders and allow migrants to leave for Europe if pushed by the European Union.

"If you go any further, these border gates will be opened," he said in Istanbul. "Neither me nor my people will be affected by these dry threats. It wouldn't matter if all of you approved the [European Parliament] vote."

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More News On Turkish President Erdogan Threatening To Flood Europe With Millions Of Refugees

Erdogan warns Europe that Turkey could open migrant gates -- Reuters
Turkey's Erdogan threatens to open borders for migrants to enter EU -- AFP
'I'll let EVERY migrant into Europe': Furious Erdogan vows to open Turkey's borders in revenge after Euro Parliament blocks EU membership talks -- Daily Mail
Turkish leader warns Europe that political snubs could set off new migrant crisis -- Washington Post
Turkey threatens to end refugee deal in row over EU accession -- The Guardian
Migrant crisis: Turkey threatens EU with new surge -- BBC
Turkey's President Erdogan threatens Europe with new wave of refugees -- Euronews
‘Don’t go any further’: Erdogan accuses EU of betrayal, threatens to open borders for migrants -- RT
Erdoğan says Turkey will open gates to Europe for refugees if Europe goes too far -- Daily Sabah

Turkey Threatens To Abandon Migrant Deal If Nit Given Visa Free Travel To Europe

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a news conference with the Adviser to Pakistan's Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, August 2, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

Reuters: Give us EU visa freedom in October or abandon migrant deal, Turkey says

Turkey could walk away from its promise to stem the flow of illegal migrants to Europe if the European Union fails to grant Turks visa-free travel to the bloc in October, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a German newspaper.

His comments in Bild's Monday edition coincide with rising tension between Ankara and the West following the July 15 failed coup attempt. Turkey is incensed by what it sees as an insensitive response from Western allies to the failed putsch in which 240 people, many of them civilians, were killed.

Europe and the United States have been worried by the crackdown following the coup. Some Western governments are concerned this could affect stability in the NATO member and suspect that President Tayyip Erdogan is using the purges as an excuse to quash dissent.

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WNU Editor: This deal has already been abandoned .... Migrant Flows to Greek Islands Increase 76% (Greek Reporter)

Turkey Issues Ultimatum To EU Over Visa-Free Travel

Refugees and migrants wait to be registered at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, November 5, 2015. © Alkis Konstantinidis / Reuters

DW: Turkey out of migrant deal if EU fails on visa-free travel: Cavusoglu

Turkey's foreign minister has warned of the consequences should the EU fail to deliver on visa-free travel. EU officials are wary of easing travel restrictions after the crackdown in the wake of the recent failed coup.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that Ankara would back out of an agreement to stem the flow of irregular migrants to the EU if Brussels failed to deliver visa-travel for its citizens by October.

"But all that is dependent on the cancellation of the visa requirement for our citizens which is also an item in the agreement of March 18," Cavusoglu said in comments published in the Monday edition of the German daily "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung."

"If visa liberalization does not follow, we will be forced to back away from the deal on taking back [refugees] and the agreement of March 18," he noted.

Cavusoglu added that while the government had not set a specific date for visa liberalization, "it could be the beginning or middle of October."

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WNU Editor: My friends in Greece are telling me that the refugees are now starting to pour in .... that this migrant deal is all but dead already. More here .... Greek islands overflowing with migrants amid EU fears Turkey will abandon refugee deal (RT).

More News On Turkey's Ultimatum To The EU Over Visa-Free Travel

Turkish FM: If There's No Visa-Free Travel, No Migrant Deal -- AP
‘Waiting until October’: Turkey issues ultimatum to EU over visa-free travel -- RT
Turkey says they'll let the migrants flow into Europe if denied visa-free travel -- Reuters
Turkey-EU Refugee Deal Dead as Ankara Demands Visa-Free Travel or They Walk -- Sputnik

Turkey's President Erdogan Tells The West To 'Mind Their Own Business'

Al Jazeera: Erdogan to West: 'Mind your own business'

Turkey's president criticises Western countries for failing to show solidarity with Ankara over failed coup attempt.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at Western leaders for failing to show solidarity with Ankara over a failed coup attempt, saying countries who worry more about the fate of the perpetrators than democracy cannot be Turkey's friends.

Speaking at the presidential palace in Ankara late on Friday, Erdogan said Western leaders who were criticising the Turkish government's reaction to the July 15 coup attempt should "mind their own business".

"When five-10 people die in a terror attack, you [Western countries] set the world on fire," he said.

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More News On Turkey's President Erdogan Telling The West To 'Mind Their Own Business'

Turkish leader condemns West's lack of 'solidarity' amid continuing coup crackdown -- ABC News Online
Turkey's Erdogan slams West for failure to show solidarity over coup attempt -- Reuters
Turkey President Erdogan lashes out at West, says it should 'mind its own business' -- IBTimes
Erdogan tells West 'mind your own business' over crackdown criticism -- Telegraph
Erdogan tells West 'mind your own business' as journalists jailed -- 7 News

US, EU Warn Turkey On Coup Crackdown

Reuters: EU condemns Turkey coup bid, warns Erdogan on death penalty

European Union foreign ministers urged Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to respect the law and human rights in dealing with defeated coup plotters, warning that reinstating the death penalty would likely end Ankara's EU membership bid.

After a breakfast in Brussels with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the ministers condemned the weekend coup attempt in a common EU statement, but expressed alarm at Erdogan's public comments on Sunday that there could be no delay in using capital punishment.

"The EU recalls that the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an essential element of the union acquis," ministers said, referring to the body of EU law that underpins the bloc.

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More News On The US And The EU Warning Turkey On Coup Crackdown

Europe and US urge Turkey to respect rule of law after failed coup -- The Guardian
'No excuse' for Turkey to abandon rule of law: EU's Mogherini -- Reuters
U.S. backs justice for coup plotters but urges Turkey to keep rule of law -- Reuters
Kerry urges Turkey to maintain democratic principles after coup attempt -- Washington Post
Turkey coup could threaten country's Nato membership, suggests John Kerry -- The Independent
Kerry: Turkey's coup response to be scrutinized by NATO -- The Hill
EU critical of Turkey's post-coup crackdown -- DW
No excuse to abandon rule of law, EU warns Turkey - as military raid homes and Erdogan's warplanes patrol the skies -- Daily Mail
Turkey government seemed to have list of arrests prepared: EU's Hahn -- Reuters
‘Yes’ to death penalty will mean ‘No’ to EU membership, EU warns Turkey -- RT
Death penalty would prevent Turkish EU membership: German Foreign Minister -- Reuters
If you reinstate the death penalty it will kill your chances of joining the EU, Germany tells Turkey -- Daily Mail

Turkey Is Threatening To Suspend Agreements With The EU

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, May 23, 2016. © Kayhan Ozer / Reuters

Ekathimerini/Reuters: Erdogan adviser warns Turkey could suspend EU agreements

Turkey could suspend all of its agreements with the European Union, including a customs union, if the bloc continues its "double standards" in talks with Ankara, an adviser to President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Speaking on state broadcaster TRT Haber, Yigit Bulut, who advises Erdogan on the economy, warned that if Europe failed to live up to its promises to Turkey, Ankara could review all of its relations with the 28-member bloc.

A deal between Brussels and Ankara to stem the flow of illegal migrants into Europe has been hampered by disagreements over Turkey's counter-terrorism law, which the European Union wants to see brought in line with EU standards.

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WNU Editor: German Chancellor Merkel is not budging (for now) .... Merkel adamant Turkey has to meet all conditions of visa-free travel deal with EU (RT).

More News On Reports That Turkey Is Threatening To Suspend Agreements With The EU

Turkey Threatens to Suspend Agreements With EU -- AP
Turkey could suspend EU deals: Erdogan advisor -- AFP
Ankara May Suspend Deal With EU Over 'Double Standards' - Erdogan's Aide -- Sputnik

Europe Has Had Enough Of Turkish President Erdogan

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan address the media after talks in Berlin, Feb. 4, 2014. (photo by REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz)

Al-Monitor: Has Europe had enough of Erdogan?

The collision between Turkey and the European Union (EU) was not unexpected, arriving as it did before mid-May. Now, attention has turned to the next looming crisis, between Ankara and Berlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is not only the head of a leading European country who has stood firm against mounting domestic and foreign criticism of the deal she masterminded with Turkey to curb the flow of refugees into the Schengen zone. Merkel is also the de facto leader of the European Union. The deterioration of the relationship between Turkey and Germany will have a very strong imprint on the already troubled relations between Ankara and Brussels.

German weekly Der Spiegel reported May 13, “The tone between Ankara and Berlin is likely to worsen even further on June 2, when the German parliament intends to pass a resolution commemorating the 1915 genocide carried out by Turkey on the Armenians. Out of consideration for the sensitive negotiations with the government in Ankara, coalition parliamentarians opted not to pursue such a resolution last year. But now, with Erdogan not showing much interest in de-escalation, Merkel's conservatives along with the SPD [Social Democratic Party of Germany] want to pass the bill in three weeks' time. The draft resolution speaks clearly of 'genocide' and of ‘planned expulsion and destruction.’”

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WNU Editor: This is one of those "I have to see it to believe it situations". But if Germany does proceed with their Armenian genocide resolution, coupled with the end of their immigrant-visa deal with Turkey (which for all practical purposes is now dead with Turkey taking in only a small number of refugees and refusing to bend on their "anti-terror" law) .... then I know that Europe is serious. This is also a situation that Russian President Putin must be smiling over. He has been a very vocal critic of Erdogan since last year .... and now seeing Europe moving to adopt the same position vs. Erdogan that he has held since the shot-down of a Russian fighter over Syria last year must be personally gratifying.

Turkey's Visa Deal With The EU Is Unravelling

AFP: Turkey visa deal unravels as Erdogan defies EU on key condition

Ankara (AFP) - A deal to grant Turks visa-free travel to most of the European Union was hanging by a thread Thursday after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defiantly vowed Ankara would not fulfil a key condition set by Brussels.

With alarm growing over the deal's future, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker bluntly told Erdogan that Turks would only enjoy travel to the passport-free Schengen area if all conditions were met and it would be "his problem" if this failed to materialise.

The promise of visa-free travel is a key pillar of the landmark March accord for Turkey to stem the flow of migrants to the EU and this could now also be in peril.

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WNU Editor: Unless Europe capitulates .... this deal .... signed with great fanfare only a few weeks ago .... is dead.

More News On Turkey's Visa - Migrant Deal With The EU Unravelling 

Turkish, European leaders stand their ground in impasse over migrants deal -- Reuters
Turkey-EU deal over visas, migrants in jeopardy amid brinkmanship -- Daily Hurriyet News
EU leader: Turkish president stalling visa-free travel must 'answer for this' -- UPI
Turkey 'needs to fulfil deal' to gain visa-free EU travel -- BBC
Turkey-EU Deal: Hopes For Visa Waiver Deal ‘Getting Less And Less,’ Turkish Minister Says -- IBTimes
‘The Ball Is in Turkey’s Court’: An Impasse Over a Terrorism Law -- The Atlantic

EU - Turkey Migrant Deal On The Verge Of Collapse

Reuters: Turkey digs in heels over terrorism law, to EU's chagrin

Turkey refused again on Wednesday to make changes to its anti-terrorism laws demanded by Brussels in a hardening of its stance that could jeopardize a major deal with the bloc covering migrants, free travel and militants.

EU officials and rights groups have accused Turkey of using broad anti-terrorism legislation to stifle dissent. Ankara says it needs the laws to battle Kurdish militants at home and threats from Islamic State in neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Brussels wants Ankara to narrow its legal definition of terrorism and change some other laws to meet EU standards - as part of the wide-ranging deal to secure Turkish help in reducing the flow of migrants into Europe.

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WNU Editor: Europe is looking at a Plan B .... EU seeking ‘plan B’ if Turkey refugee deal collapses: Reports (Middle East Eye).

More News On Reports That The EU - Turkey Migrant Deal Is On The Verge Of Collapse

Turkey will send migrants back to EU if visa-free deal fails – Erdogan party’s MP -- RT
Migrant Deal in Question as Turkey Refuses Terror Law Change -- New York Times
Migrant deal in question as Turkey refuses terror law change -- AP
Turkish minister warns of 'dangerous moment' for EU migrant deal -- AFP
Recep Tayyip Erdogan slams EU’s demands in fight on terrorism -- Washington Times
Turkey says it fulfilled refugee deal criteria, won't amend terror laws -- DW
Turkey threatens return to migrant chaos as visa deal falters -- The Telegraph