The European Commission summoned the Turkish ambassador to Brussels seeking explanations about the statements of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that “Europeans will not walk safely on the streets.”
The European Commission said on Thursday it had summoned the Turkish ambassador to explain comments by President Tayyip Erdogan that Europeans would not be able to “walk safely on the streets” if they kept up their current attitude towards Turkey.
The Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is seeking an explanation from Turkey’s envoy to the 28-nation bloc, a spokeswoman said.
“On these specific comments, we have actually asked the Turkish foreign delegate to the EU to come to the EEAS (the Commission’s foreign policy service) today for a meeting,” EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said.
Turkey’s mission to the EU had no immediate comment, Reuters noted.
On Wednesday Erdogan threatened: “If Europe continues this way, no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets. Europe will be damaged by this. We, as Turkey, call on Europe to respect human rights and democracy.”
Erdogan’s statements came just hours before the terrorist attack in UK’s Parliament in London Westminster that killed three people and injured more than 40. One Greek tourist, a woman, who happened to be on the Bridge at the time of the attack was slightly injured.
Even before the attack in London, many people on Greek and international social media lashed out at Erdogan for his threats against the Europeans.
Thursday afternoon, UK authorities named Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old born in Kent, as the man responsible for attack. He is said to be an English teacher and father of three. He was killed on the spot. The Islamic State claimed responsibility.
PS Congrats to EU and the Commission for the prompt reaction. I’m just curious what the ambassador’s explanation.
