Erdoğan Addresses HDP That didn’t Attend Opening of Parliament: ‘Their Place is Qandil”

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The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly 26th Term 3rd Legislative Year has begun with the ceremony of placing a wreath on Atatürk Monument. The General Assembly convened under the presidency of Parliamentary Speaker İsmail Kahraman.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks on the agenda.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MPs gathered in front of Edirne Prison in protest of HDP co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş being kept in the prison, and didn’t attend the opening of the parliament.

Being asked about this following his speech, Erdoğan said, “Don’t you see why? Their place is Qandil as you know”.

“We don’t need the EU membership anymore”

With respect to the relation with the European Union (EU), Erdoğan said that they are not enthusiastic about being a member of the EU.

“We see that the EU has been misunderstanding the stance Turkey has been maintaining since 1963 when Turkey first made its application. The truth is, we don’t need the EU membership anymore. But we won’t be the one to throw in the towel and end this process”. (HK/TK)