EU Parliamentarian Manfred Weber has said Turkey will not become a member of the European Union in an interview with the German newspaper Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung on Saturday.
Weber, the head of the European People’s Party (EPP), added that it is more important to agree with Ankara on issues regarding economy, culture, and student exchange, than it is to have Turkey continue the accession process.
On Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s threats regarding the migrant deal with the EU, Weber said: “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed. The fact is that, if necessary, we are able to react accordingly and independently from the Turkish government”
Weber added that he is against the placing economic sanctions on Turkey at the moment, saying that all channels of communication cannot be cut, since the democratic entities in Turkey continue to support Europe.
Asked if he would seek the presidency of the European Parliament after Martin Schulz’s resignation, Weber said that he does not have such ambitions and that there are several “good” potential candidates from their parliamentary team that could seek the candidacy.
GERMAN CSU LEADER: TURKEY WILL NOT BLACKMAIL US
The head of the Bavarian CSU party Horst Seehofer has sent a similar message to Turkey in an interview with Passauer Neue Presse.
Regarding Erdogan’s threat, Seehofer said: “Turkey will not be allowed to blackmail us. Europe will have to defend the human rights of freedom and democracy.”
He added that if Erdogan moves forward with his threat than Germany will protect its borders better.
Source: CNA
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