Erdoğan’s statements are shocking, today of all days

“We have responded with restraint over the last few days and weeks to one outrageous insult after another by Erdoğan. However, with his most recent statements the Turkish president has crossed a serious line, in that they can be interpreted as a call to violence,” the N-VA says. “We simply cannot allow our citizens - including the ones of Turkish descent who reside here - to be intimidated in such an extreme fashion. Especially today, one year to the day since the horrific attacks in Brussels, his words come across as exceptionally shocking.” The N-VA calls upon all European leaders to send a powerful signal and to call a halt without delay to the accession of Turkey to the Union.

“If Europe continues like this, Europeans all over the world will no longer be able to walk the streets safely”: with this provocation of the highest order, Erdoğan took the escalation of the Turkish conflict with Europe to a whole new level. In recent weeks the Turkish leader has systematically tested the limits of freedom of expression, as well as the flexibility of diplomatic relations. However, now he seems to be reaching a clear breaking point: from insults to incitements to violence. “His unprecedented choice of words not only represents a direct threat addressed to every European citizen, it can even be interpreted as an invitation to the Turkish diaspora in Europe to join the violent resistance,” says the N-VA.

Violence makes no distinction

The N-VA is also forced to point out the very unfortunate symbolism in the timing of Erdoğan’s statements. “Particularly on this day, 22 March, that type of menacing language comes across as especially shocking. In this regard, European citizens of Turkish descent must be aware that according to president Erdoğan, they too can no longer safely walk the streets. That’s because acts of terrorism show no favouritism: a fact which was painfully confirmed to us exactly one year ago,” the N-VA concludes.