* Photo: AA/Archive
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Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, visited Northern Cyprus today (October 11). Sharing a message on his Twitter account after the visit, Tusk also responded to President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statements.
Addressing Turkey's "Operation Peace Spring" into northern Syria yesterday, Erdoğan said, "If the EU calls our operation an invasion, then it is easy for us: We open the gates and send 3.6 million refugees to Europe".
'Erdoğan's threats are totally out of place'
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Twitter:
"Turkey must understand that our main concern is that their actions may lead to another humanitarian catastrophe. And we will never accept that refugees are weaponised and used to blackmail us. President Erdogan's threats of yesterday are totally out of place."
Turkey must understand that our main concern is that their actions may lead to another humanitarian catastrophe. And we will never accept that refugees are weaponised and used to blackmail us. President Erdogan’s threats of yesterday are totally out of place.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 11, 2019
Warning about Cyprus
Tusk also addressed the drilling activities of Turkey off the coast off Cyprus. "The EU stands united behind Cyprus in light of Turkey's new illegal drilling activities off the coast of Cyprus", he said on Twitter.
The EU stands united behind Cyprus in light of Turkey’s new illegal drilling activities off the coast of Cyprus.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 11, 2019
Yavuz Drilling Ship started its drilling activities on October 7.
EU said 'Cease unilateral military action'
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs released a statement on behalf of all 28 EU member countries on October 9 and "called upon Turkey to cease the unilateral military action".
"It is unlikely that a so-called 'safe zone' in north-east Syria, as envisaged by Turkey, would satisfy international criteria for refugee return as laid down by UNHCR", the statement indicated further. (PT/SD)
