Germany warns Turkey against “blackmailing Europe”August 2, 2016 - 12:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Europe must not let itself be blackmailed by Turkey in talks about visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the EU, German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has said, according to BBC News. Visa-free access to the EU is seen as a reward for Turkey's role in halting an influx of migrants into Europe. But the move has been delayed because of a row over anti-terror legislation following Turkey's failed coup. "It's up to Turkey whether there can be visa-travel or not," Gabriel said. He said Turkey was drastically distancing itself from Europe by "moving towards reintroducing the death penalty" which was a "flagrant contravention of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights". He said the charter was "a vital part" of the EU and must be accepted and put into practice if Turkey wanted to be a part of the EU. "It is up to Turkey to implement the standards and not to make them worse," he said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said over the weekend that he might rescind his country's agreement with the EU to curb the flow of migrants, if the bloc did not in return deliver visa-free travel for Turks. Germany has urged Turkey to show "proportionality" over the issue - especially in its pursuit of those behind last month's coup. "It is up to Turkey if there is or there isn't visa liberalisation," Gabriel said. "Germany and Europe should under no circumstances be blackmailed." The vice-chancellor also welcomed a decision to prevent Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan from addressing via video-link a rally in Cologne on Sunday. The ban led to the Turkish foreign ministry summoning the German charge d'affaires. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |