Erdoğan Calls on EU to Provide Support for Refugees: 'Or We will Open the Doors'

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Turkey will have to let refugees into Europe if it does not receive enough support from the EU, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said in a joint press conference with Hungary's PM Viktor Orban in Budapest.

"Recently, the EU's attitude toward our country is far from constructive. With this attitude, the union essentially damages its own interests," Erdoğan remarked.

The president noted that Turkey hosts four million refugees, including 350 thousand Kurds, and "a significant number" of them are "likely to migrate, especially to Europe."

Erdoğan went on to say that they are working for a "safe zone" in Syria and what they want is to make the refugees return to their countries.

"Whether we receive support or not, we will continue to aid the guests we are hosting. But, if this doesn't work out, then we will have to open the doors," he said.

Turkey launched a military operation into northern Syria on October 9 to remove the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) from a 32-kilometer deep area in northern Syria and to establish a "safe zone" to repatriate refugees.

Erdoğan also previously threatened the EU that Turkey will send refugees into Europe if a "safe zone" is not established.

"We captured 13 people close to Baghdadi"

Eroğan also spoke about ISIS, claiming that Turkey has the "strongest stance" against the group.

"Currently there are at least 1,149 Daesh [ISIS] members in our prisons," he said, adding the Turkey "neutralized" 3 thousand ISIS members in Syria's al-Bab in 2017.

Turning to Turkey's capture this week of the widow and sister of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Erdoğan said Ankara also captured 13 people close to him.

Baghdadi, who was born in Iraq, blew himself up during an October 26 raid by US forces in Idlib, Syria. (EKN/VK)