Özel: Turkey is not a country that Europe can use as a refugee warehouse

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel signed a political cooperation protocol with Lars Klingbeil, Co-Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Before the signing ceremony, the two leaders held a joint press conference at the CHP Headquarters. 

"TURKS ARE AFFECTED BY RISING RACISM IN EUROPE"

Addressing his guests by saying, "Welcome to Ankara, to our headquarters, my very esteemed chairman and dear comrades," Özgür Özel said the following regarding the cooperation protocol they signed with the SPD:

"Germany is the country with the largest population of Turkish origin outside our own. The mutual interaction of our citizens allows for interaction between our countries. Turks are negatively affected by the rising racism and Islamophobia in Europe. Thanks to the correct integration policies initiated years ago by social democratic and left-wing governments in Germany, Turks living in Germany reside in a country where these negative effects are minimized. All our Turkish citizens, regardless of their political preferences in Turkey, know that their past gains in Germany were achieved during the terms of social democrats and leftists. It is very valuable that they are telling this in Turkey."

Emphasizing that the memorandum of understanding does not only expand the areas of cooperation between the two parties but also offers new opportunities that will benefit the two countries and our peoples who have close ties, Özel said, "This memorandum of understanding emphasizes my party's determination regarding our country's full membership in the European Union and the SPD's support for this determination. Our desire for cooperation is reaffirmed for the defense of social justice, democratic and libertarian values, the fight against the far-right and populism, the establishment of a fair world order, peace, stability, the protection of the environment and climate, and the realization of sustainable and inclusive economic development in the world and in our country."

"TURKEY IS NOT A COUNTRY THAT EUROPE CAN USE AS A REFUGEE WAREHOUSE"

Responding to journalists' questions, Özel stated, "The refugee agreement made between Mr. Erdoğan and Ms. Merkel, the refugee agreement expressed as '6 billion Euros,' is a great success for Merkel. Perhaps Erdoğan also boasts about this agreement, but it is not a correct agreement at all in terms of European ideals and the humanitarian approach we believe in. Turkey is not a country on Europe's border that will be used as a refugee warehouse for Europe and whose price will be paid with 6 billion Euros. We all know that this was not just settled with 6 billion Euros. All of Europe must take responsibility, and Syrian refugees must be encouraged to return to their countries of their own free will."

News Source : 12punto