In a strong reaction to a threat made by European Parliament President Martin Schulz to impose economic sanctions on Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Schulz disrespectful, daring him to do whatever he can and saying “Who the hell are you?“
Talking to a group of farmers in Ankara on Monday, Erdoğan condemned Europe’s warning to cut ties with Turkey if the death penalty is reinstated and targeted EP President Schulz: “Who the hell are you? Who? A president of a parliament. What are you? Since when do you decide on behalf of Turkey? Look at this disrespectful man! What would happen if you were to impose all the sanctions you could? You are running late in doing any of this.”
Accusing the European Union of supporting terrorism, Erdoğan slammed the 28-member bloc for talk of suspending accession negotiations and suggested a referendum. “Either make up your mind immediately, or let’s wait until the end of the year and go to the nation to ask for its opinion,¨ said Erdoğan.
Erdoğan also reminded his audience that the EU did not deliver the 3 billion euros it promised Turkey, as he has been doing recently in all his remarks on the EU.
Erdoğan also called on Europe to eliminate the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from Europe, claiming that PKK representatives roam freely in Germany, France and Switzerland.
On Sunday the EP’s Schulz had said economic sanctions on Turkey are being considered as tension between the European Union and Ankara is increasing due Turkey’s state of emergency practices, according to a Deutsche Welle report.
Speaking to Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper, Schulz confirmed rumors in Brussels that the EU leaders at their summit in December could opt for economic sanctions in response to Turkish President Erdoğan’s ongoing crackdown on dissent, instead of terminating EU accession talks.