Erdogan, the butcher of Istanbul, finds Muslim migrants quite useful for blackmailing Europe. Now he’s at it again.
Faced with a potential new migration wave from Afghanistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on European nations Thursday to shoulder the responsibility for Afghans fleeing the Taliban and warned that his country won’t become Europe’s “refugee warehouse.”
In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan also said his government would “if necessary” engage in talks with a government that could be formed by the Taliban ” for the stability and security of this country.”
That’s Erdogan trying to make his embrace of the Taliban look like he’s trying to help Europe out.
“We need to remind our European friends of this fact: Europe — which has become the center of attraction for millions of people — cannot stay out of (the refugee) problem by harshly sealing its borders to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens,” Erdogan said.
Turkey has spent years building a border wall with Iran to “harshly” seal its borders. But no doubt that’s different.
A 243-kilometre (151-mile) concrete wall, topped with barbed wire and surrounded by trenches, is being erected along its 534-kilometre frontier with Iran.
Turkish officials told AFP that 156 kilometres have already been built, greatly limiting migrant flows.
It’s okay for Erdogan to try and bar entry for his fellow Muslim migranrs. But he’s demanding that Europe take them.
“Turkey has no duty, responsibility or obligation to be Europe’s refugee warehouse,” Erdogan said.
Europe has no responsibility or obligation to be Turkey’s refugee warehouse either.