Turhan Çömez criticizes AKP over Europe: “Is this the ‘domestic and national’ AKP?”

İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez has harshly criticized Turkey’s rhetoric regarding the European Union and NATO. Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent statements on NATO, Çömez compared the ruling party’s past rhetoric with its current stance, expressing his reaction to the government.

REACTION TO THE MESSAGE: ''WE PROTECT EUROPE, AND WE WILL TAKE YOUR REFUGEES''

In a post on his social media account, Çömez recalled the words of then-Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım in 2016: “Turkey is a country that ensures the security of the EU. If it weren't for Turkey, refugees would invade Europe.” Placing this statement alongside President Erdoğan’s recent remarks that “Turkey, with the second-largest land army in NATO, is ready to take responsibility for European security in the future,” Çömez questioned how eager Turkey is to shoulder Europe’s security burden.

''EUROPE SENDS ASYLUM SEEKERS TO US AND EVEN DENIES US VISAS''

Criticizing European countries' visa practices and asylum policies toward Turkey, Çömez stated, “These people don't give us visas, and they kick asylum seekers out and send them to us. Yet we are still saying, ‘Don't worry, we will protect you, and we will take your asylum seekers.’”

''IS THIS THE ‘DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL’ AKP?''

The İYİ Party’s Çömez concluded his statement with a sharp question directed at the ruling party: “Is this the ‘domestic and national’ AKP?”