Iraq censures US, EU for inaction over Turkey’s troops deployment

February 17, 2016 By administrator

044c5b5e-ffcf-4e80-9f95-47911770ef38 Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi censured the United States and the European Union Tuesday for inaction on Turkey’s military deployment north of Iraq, warning that Baghdad may be forced to get help from Russia for pushing back the Turkish forces.

In a phone conversation, Abadi has warned US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden that Turkey may be aiming to occupy the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and areas surrounding it in the same manner that it invaded Cyprus in 1974, urging the US and European allies to make Turkey leave the Iraqi territory as soon as possible, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen news channel reported.

In early December 2015, Turkey deployed a contingent of its troops to the Bashiqa military camp north of Mosul, claiming that the move had been earlier coordinated with Iraqi officials. Baghdad swiftly denied the claim and called on Ankara to immediately withdraw its forces from the camp.

Abadi warned the White House and leaders of major European powers that Iraq may be compelled to ask for Russia’s intervention in northern Iraq if Turkey does not pull back its troops from Bashiqa.

The Iraqi prime minister also warned Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that if Ankara does not specify a clear timetable for the withdrawal of the troops, Iraq could resort to other options.

Baghdad had previously filed an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish contingent.

Abadi also slammed an emerging plan by some Persian Gulf Arab states for deploying troops into Syria, saying such action would directly affect the security of Iraq and could fan the flames of militancy in the Middle East.

EU ambassador: Armenia has very strong family values

February 15, 2016 By administrator

armenina family YEREVAN. – Orphaned children are relatively few in Armenia, and family values are very strong in the country.

Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, on Monday told the above-said to reporters.

He noted this within the framework of the first awareness conference regarding the EU-funded “Equal Opportunities of Personal Development for Orphaned Children” program, which is implemented in Armenia.

In his words, the EU has adopted several strategic documents which underscore children’s rights.

Świtalski stressed, however, that Armenia is a special case, the respective situation is quite different in the country, and he urged not to do anything to change this situation in Armenia.

The ambassador noted that there are two very important relevant factors for the EU. First, civic awareness needs to be conducted as to how to work with children and how to protect them. And second, activity opportunities should be given to children.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

EU ‘Should Ask Russia for Help Instead of Kneeling in Front of Ankara’

February 8, 2016 By administrator

gagrulenet illustration

Russia proved to be a key player in the resolution of the Syrian conflict. If Europe is going beg anyone for help, it should be Moscow, rather than the Turkish government, German newspaper Tagesspiegel wrote.

Europe does not realize that “falling on its knees” in front of Erdogan in a desperate attempt to resolve the current refugee crisis is absolutely useless, the article said.

“Today, Angela Merkel is once again talking to Ankara about refugees from Syria. But maybe Putin would be the right person to talk to instead,” the newspaper wrote.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is visiting Ankara to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to discuss their assistance in the resolution of the refugee crisis for the third time this year.

While European states are “kissing Erdogan’s feet,” Turkey has a great opportunity to voice any conditions and requirements, which makes Europeans nervous.

Merkel’s visit to Turkey is nothing more than direct proof of her despair. The sad truth is, however, that neither Merkel, nor Erdogan and Davutoglu are able to resolve the current immigration crisis, given its scale, the newspaper wrote.

According to Tagesspiegel, Western countries were silently watching the events in Syria, convincing themselves that the conflict in the Middle East has nothing to do with them.

Now that the Syrian crisis has resulted in a huge wave of refugees, Merkel and other politicians are unable to cope with such a huge challenge.

A more effective solution for Europe would be a partnership with Russia, which has established itself as a key player in the Middle East region, the article said.

If Europe has to beg for help, maybe it should “fall on its knees in front of Vladimir Putin” rather than Erdogan who will prove useless in the resolution of the current crisis anyways, the newspaper concluded.

Turkey The writer Orhan Pamuk blames complacency Europeans towards Turkey on the rule of law

February 1, 2016 By administrator

arton121623-480x240 The Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk accusing upside Ankara convenience European Union. In an interview published this Sunday, January 31 the Turkish daily Hürriyet, the Nobel laureate says she chose to ignore attacks on the rule of law in Turkey due to the crisis of migrants and the fight against Daech.

“They (the Europeans) have forgotten all their values,” said the 2006 Nobel Prize for literature in an interview with Hurriyet newspaper. “They look at us as they watched Saudi Arabia once: if (the Turks) do what we want, no matter what they do at home,” he added. Hands tied

According to the writer, the fight against the Islamic state and the crisis group of migrants, two challenges where the EU can not do without Turkey, “has tied the hands of Europe”. Ankara and Brussels signed in late November an “action plan” which provides for an EU with 3 billion euros to the Turkish authorities in exchange for their commitment to better control their borders and to fight against the smugglers.

EU calls for “immediate ceasefire” in Turkey’s Kurdish-dominated region

January 25, 2016 By administrator

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Monday, January 25 called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Turkey‘s Kurdish-dominated region where the Turkish army is waging a relentless campaign against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, AFP reports.

“We call for an immediate ceasefire in the southeast and strongly condemn all kinds of terrorism,” Mogherini told a joint press conference with Turkish ministers in Ankara.

“We are ready to contribute with regards to the Kurdish peace process. We have an imminent interest on that because it can affect the security in the region, and in the broader sense, the EU,” added European Union Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

After a more than two-year ceasefire, fighting resumed last summer between Turkish security forces and the PKK, dashing hopes of ending a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984.

But Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir vowed no let-up in the campaign against the PKK, which has since staged a string of attacks against security forces.

“As a sovereign state, Turkey will continue its struggle against all terrorist organizations, including the PKK, which are threatening its national security,” he said.

“In doing so, we try to protect the rights of our citizens.”

AFP. EU calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Turkey’s Kurdish southeast

German deputy accuses EU of making dirty business deal with Turkey over refugee issue

December 30, 2015 By administrator

Greens Party deputy Turkish-German Özcan Mutlu and Professor Koray Çalışkan from Boğaziçi University took over the vigil called “Wait for Hope” on Monday. (Photo: Cihan)

A deputy of the Greens Party in Germany, Turkish-German Özcan Mutlu, has criticized the EU for turning a blind eye to violations of freedom of the press and other fundamental freedoms in Turkey in order to avoid the effects of the Syrian refugee crisis by engaging in a dirty business deal with Ankara over the matter.

In an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman on Tuesday, Mutlu stated that issues around media freedom and freedom of thought in Turkey have been put aside, along with the concerns felt by many in relation to judicial freedom in the country.

“The level of freedom of thought is very low in Turkey and the EU ignores the facts. In an atmosphere in which freedom of thought is lacking, I have high expectations of the EU to deal with these problems. As you know, the EU has certain core values which it has been built on. Several of these values are key for EU democracy. These are: freedom of thought, media freedoms and the principal of separation of powers. If there are concerns as to Turkey fulfilling these criteria when Turkey also wants to enter the union, then the EU is responsible for sharing its concerns with the Ankara administration. The union should tell Turkey that these vital values cannot be violated and ignored,” Mutlu noted.

Mutlu accused the EU, Germany and other members of the union of engaging in a dirty business deal with Turkey because of the Syrian refugee crisis, adding, “No criticism is leveled against Turkey over human rights violations. This is called a ‘double standard.’ On one hand it is observed that certain values in Turkey are trampled on, on the other hand the union prefers to ignore these violations due to the massive refugee influx it has continued to experience.”

Continuing with his comments about the current nature of Turkish-EU relations, Mutlu went on to say: “Is it possible to witness to similar things happening in the Cizre and Şırnak districts [in reference to ongoing military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Southeast of Turkey, where thousands of Kurds have been forced to leave their homes and a number of locals have been killed] in Berlin and Paris? I direct my criticism against the EU for remaining silent in the face of such severe violations. This connivance by the union is so great that the European Commission postponed the publication of its annual progress report, which included harsh criticism of human rights violations in Turkey, amid negotiations with Turkey on how to stem the flow of refugees to Europe so that the report would not influence the election results.”

The report, which was originally scheduled to be published on Oct. 14, was released on Nov. 10, days after the general election. The report expressed great concern over media freedom, freedom of expression and judicial independence in Turkey.

“After the report was published, no satisfying debate was conducted. That’s why my criticism focuses on Brussels, Berlin and Paris,” he added.

Mutlu pointed out that, in a similar vein, German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a visit to Turkey two weeks before the Nov. 1 election, an action which could have been portrayed as support for the Turkish government despite the violations in question.
‘Imprisoning journalists contradicts democratic principles’
Taking over the vigil called “Wait for Hope,” aimed at supporting the arrested Cumhuriyet editors Can Dündar and Erdem Gül in front of Silivri Prison on Monday, Mutlu’s request to meet with the two editors remained unanswered.

“One of the key principals of democracy is freedom of press and judicial independence. In this case, both have been violated. Dündar and Gül are now at the forefront, but there are over 30 other jailed journalists in Turkey, a situation that does not comply with democracy,” Mutlu concluded.

Source: todayzaman

President: Greece plays huge part in Armenia relations with EU and NATO

December 17, 2015 By administrator

14965_b YEREVAN. – The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Thursday met with the visiting Minister of National Defence of Greece, Panagiotis “Panos” Kammenos.

The President welcomed the guest to Armenia, and expressed the hope that the Greek minister will have constructive and productive meetings in capital city Yerevan, giving new impetus to cooperation of the two friendship states in the area of defense, which has traditionally been one of the cornerstones of Armenian-Greek state relations.

Highlighting that the warm relations between Armenia and Greece were formed on a strong historical basis, Sargsyan stressed the importance of common approaches toward different issues of international agenda, and the role of Greece in the context of Armenia-EU and RA-NATO relations, and cooperation in peacekeeping.

The President highly valued the regular reciprocal visits between the defense ministries of the two countries, which, in his words, enable to discuss the prospects for cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan also welcomed the agreements reached during Minister Kammenos’ visit, and which are aimed at deepening and invigorating bilateral cooperation.

The Minister of National Defence of Greece, for his part, thanked the President for the warm welcome he received in Armenia and the mutual readiness to develop cooperation in the area of defense. He assured the President of Armenia that excellent cooperation has been established with the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, and that Armenian-Greek military and technical cooperation will continue to grow through mutual efforts, including military education and peacekeeping.

At the ensuing talk, the parties spoke about the regional and international security issues and challenges, and the current phase in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

France: NATIONAL FRONT Revival of Turkish accession to the EU: “The continuing scandal”

December 15, 2015 By administrator

Paris, December 15, 2015 (AFP) – The National Front Tuesday denounced in a statement “the scandal” of the relaunch of the accession process of Turkey to the EU, with the opening of a new chapter in accession negotiations. “It is a democratic and unprecedented political scandal,” said the party led by Marine Le Pen.

“Indeed, this opening comes as we get every day the very serious confirmation that Turkey indeed trade with the barbarians of the Islamic state. After oil smuggling, and several news sources just revealed that 25,000 tons of cotton in 15 days were imported by Turkey from Syria “, says the FN, who sees a” double game abject of the Turkish state ” .

“Recall that the opening of a new negotiating chapter is part of a broader agreement in the context of the crisis of migrants, which already provides for the payment of 3 billion euros to Turkey and liberalization visas for Turks wishing to come to Europe, “laments the FN.

“Brussels is pursuing its policy blindly crazy with regard to Turkey, despising the way that European public opinion overwhelmingly reject the accession of this country to the European Union. Worse, the European Commission also threatens our collective security, always incorporating a little more to the EU a state that plays with the security of the world, through its reports for the least problems with the Islamic state “s’ unworthy even the far-right party.

As promised, the EU has relaunched Monday accession negotiations with Turkey, which it expects better cooperation on migration crisis and increased struggle against the organization including drying Islamic state in the lucrative oil trade jihadists.

Turkey: HDP co-chair blasts EU, US for relations with Turkish gov’t

December 8, 2015 By administrator

The co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
AA photo

Rifat Başaran – ANKARA

The co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has chastised both the European Union and the U.S. administration for their approach to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) style of governance, accusing the EU of covering up the Turkish government’s crimes and U.S. President Barack Obama of recognizing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s de facto change of the country’s regime.

“The EU has marketed its own principles. The EU is now in a position to be questioned about human rights and the Copenhagen Criteria,” HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş told a group of journalists on Dec. 8, referring to developing relations between the EU and Ankara after the EU agreed at a summit on Nov. 29 to a three-billion-euro ($3.2 billion) aid deal to stem the flow of migrants from Turkey, which is hosting over two million Syrian refugees.

In the first days of December, it was revealed in a statement signed by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that the EU had provided a commitment to Ankara to launch necessary procedures on five accession chapters currently under veto by Greek Cyprus.

Demirtaş’s remarks came when he was asked whether recent progress in Turkey-EU relations would serve as leverage for addressing the deterioration of human rights and freedoms in Turkey.

“Just to have the refugee problem resolved, the EU has covered up all crimes of the AKP government by turning a blind eye to all violations of human rights. It has made human rights an issue for bargaining in international relations,” he said. “Even if the negotiations are opened, no move such as pressing the AKP should be expected from the EU. The EU is powerless; it can’t even find a remedy for its own problem,” he added.

Demirtaş was in Washington last week to participate in a Middle East Institute (MEI) conference as a keynote speaker. He also held meetings with officials from the U.S. State Department, yet made no bones about his reservations on Obama’s Nov. 9 call to Erdoğan to “congratulate the Turkish people on the Nov. 1 elections.”

“It is a situation which stems from Erdoğan’s dominant and magisterial personality in Turkish politics. What would he tell [Prime Minister Ahmet] Davutoğlu if Obama had called Davutoğlu? Davutoğlu didn’t win the election anyway. The one who won and lost the election is Erdoğan. This way, he [Obama] has accepted Erdoğan’s dominant position and his position of de facto changing the regime. Normally, he should have called the prime minister,” Demirtaş said.

December/09/2015

Erdoğan advisor We unleash refugees EU bows to Turkey’s threat we got 3 billion euros

December 2, 2015 By administrator

Erdoğan’s advisor Burhan Kuzu. (Photo: Cihan)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s advisor Burhan Kuzu commented on the migrant deal between the EU and turkey, saying on his twitter account on Wednesday that the EU finally bowed to Turkey’s threat to open its borders to refugees by deciding to provide Turkey with financial support for the migrant crisis.

“The EU finally got Turkey’s message and opened its purse strings. What did we say? ‘We’ll open our borders and unleash all the Syrian refugees on you,’” Kuzu stated in his controversial tweet.

Kuzu’s tweet drew strong criticism, with a number of social media users saying that it is unethical to talk about “unleashing [the refugees] on” the EU as if they were animals.

A social media user reacted against Kuzu’s statement, saying, “Are those whom you are talking about [unleashing] dogs, Mr. Kuzu?”

Referring to the many incidents of migrant boats sinking in their attempt to cross the seas between Greece and Turkey, another Twitter user asked, “Is this the reason why all those people drowned in Aegean Sea?”

More than 400 migrants, including many children, have drowned in the Aegean since the start of 2015.

On Nov. 24 the EU’s executive branch confirmed it will set up a fund of 3 billion euros for two years to help improve the living conditions of migrants in Turkey and prevent further influxes into Europe. The agreement was finalized on Nov. 29 at the EU-Turkey summit held in Brussels, where Turkey promised to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for financial support, visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen zone and renewed EU accession talks.