In reaction to a European Parliament resolution to freeze EU accession talks with Turkey, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu asked Europe not to punish the entire nation due to frustration with one person’s rhetoric, in a veiled reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“Do not impose sanctions on a country of 80 million because of anger over one person’s rhetoric,” Kılıçdaroğlu stated on Saturday in İstanbul amid ongoing tension between the Turkish government and the EU.
Kılıçdaroğlu underlined the fact that Turkey has had its face turned towards the West since its establishment. He noted that the Turkish nation unconditionally defends a secular, democratic, welfare state that adheres to the rule of law. According to Kılıçdaroğlu, putting sanctions on Turkey would be punishing the entire nation.
The EP on Thursday voted in favor of a resolution recommending that EU countries freeze accession talks with Turkey.