Speaking in Ankara, Sweden’s foreign minister criticised Turkey over its curbs on freedom of expression during a joint news conference that quickly turned sour.
After talks in the Turkish capital Tuesday, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde reiterated the EU’s calls for Turkey to withdraw troops it sent to north-western Syria a year ago against Kurdish fighters.
“The strong EU position remains the same. We continue to urge Turkey to withdraw,” Linde said, standing alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The EU also expects constructive steps toward democracy and human rights in Turkey, she said.
Linde also criticised a decision by Ankara to resume energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey and EU-members Greece and Cyprus are locked in a bitter dispute over offshore rights.
Standing alongside Linde, Cavusoglu criticised the Swedish minister for urging Turkey to withdraw troops from Syria and among other things, accused Sweden of supporting Kurdish militants as well as remaining silent over Greece’s alleged mistreatment of migrants — allegations which Athens denies.
He noted the EU does not urge Turkey to withdraw from north-west Syria because, he said, “3 million more refugees will come to Turkey and then to European countries.” He then asked why Sweden does not stand up for the rights of Turkish Cypriots.
In response, Linde said that as a “guest” she would not engage in a dispute. “I would hope that everybody in Turkey will have the possibility to express their views as frankly as you are doing, minister. Thank you,” she said.
It was a thinly-veiled reference to Turkey’s much-criticised record on freedom of expression, including the jailing of scores of journalists and pro-Kurdish politicians.
An irritated Cavusoglu then turned to her again and said: “In Turkey everybody can express their views but we don’t have these double standards.”
The airing of grievances came as tensions flared again between Turkey and the EU after a Turkish seismic survey ship on Monday returned to disputed waters from which it had withdrawn last month to allow for diplomacy.
Source: Arab Weekly
