Greece, EU drown human rights in Aegean Sea: AK Party Spox
A spokesman for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Wednesday criticized the Greek authorities for their continued policy of pushing back illegal migrants into the Aegean Sea, as he criticized the European Union for to have closed my eyes to the tragedy.
Ömer Çelik said the illegal refoulement of migrants from Greece was the main reason for the recent increase in the number of migrant deaths in the Aegean Sea. He accused European countries of ignoring him.
“Greece’s persistent pushback policy, which is facilitated by the EU’s Frontex (border and coast guard agency) has led migrants to change their route to the more dangerous and longer Italian route.” , he told reporters after the party’s board meeting in the capital Ankara. .
He noted that European countries, which constantly emphasize the importance of democracy and human rights, lose both when small boats sink in the Mediterranean.
“The push-backs, carried out by Greece and Frontex, are attempts to directly leave migrants dead,” he said, adding that there is concrete evidence showing that the Greek coast guard is shooting at migrant boats , try to sink them and throw stun grenades at the migrants. Çelik said that Frontex was now part of the refoulements and that an investigation was underway into their implication.
Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, especially women and children.
Turkey’s five Aegean provinces – Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Izmir, Muğla and Aydın – are prime locations for refugees leaving Turkey for the EU, with Greek islands within sight of the Turkish coast.
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of people have made short but perilous journeys across the Aegean Sea to reach northern and western Europe in search of a better life.
Hundreds of people have died at sea as scores of boats carrying refugees sank or capsized. The Turkish Coast Guard command saved thousands more.
Turkey and Greece have been key transit points for migrants seeking to enter Europe, fleeing war and persecution to start new lives. Turkey has accused Greece of large-scale refoulements, summary deportations and denial of migrants access to asylum procedures, in violation of international law. Ankara also accuses the EU of turning a blind eye to this blatant human rights violation.
Refoulements are considered contrary to international refugee protection agreements, which stipulate that people must not be expelled or returned to a country where their life and safety could be in danger because of their race, religion, nationality or affiliation. to a social or political group.
Russian-Ukrainian tension
Regarding the continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Çelik said Turkey attaches great importance to peace and stability in the Black Sea.
“We hope that a terrain, which preserves the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the clear concerns of NATO and Russia, will be established,” he said.
Russia recently amassed tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border. The move raised concerns among NATO allies that Russia may be planning another military offensive against its former Soviet neighbor.
The United States and its European allies accuse Russia of trying to destabilize the country by providing military support to separatist forces in the eastern regions of Ukraine.
Turkey-Armenia standardization
Also addressing the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, Çelik said Turkey’s special envoy Serdar Kılıç will meet with his Armenian counterpart soon to discuss the process.
If things go well with the normalization of relations, to which Azerbaijan has consented and supported, Turkey and Armenia will resume charter flights as one of the steps in the process, he said.
“We hope that Armenia will renounce expansionist policies and act as part of the mechanism that would contribute to stability in the South Caucasus,” Çelik said.
On December 15, Turkey appointed Kılıç, former Ambassador to the United States, as its special envoy to discuss normalization measures with Armenia. Three days later, Armenia also appointed its special representative for dialogue with Turkey, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan.
Delay of the Libyan elections
Regarding the latest developments in Libya, including the postponement of the presidential elections which were to be held on December 24, Çelik reiterated that Turkey supports fair, free and legitimate elections that will lift the country out of instability.
“Turkey expects whoever wins the elections to represent the whole country,” he added.
On Monday, the Libyan parliament proposed to postpone the country’s presidential elections for six months.
Rival Libyan parties disagree on the voting schedule for presidential and legislative elections to be held simultaneously or back to back.
Libyans hope the upcoming elections will help end an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.