Assita Kanko sees a lack of European courage towards Belarus and Turkey

“The European Union lacks sufficient courage.” MEP Assita Kanko spoke on the De Ochtend radio show on Radio 1 about two topical international themes: Belarus and Turkey. Assita Kanko expects little from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Belarus: sanctions affecting President Lukashenko

Together with other MEPs, Assita Kanko is calling for an inquiry committee on Belarus, which would be tasked with checking whether the re-election of President Lukashenko was carried out properly. Assita Kanko is in favour of sanctions but doesn’t expect that Josep Borrell will dare to take that step. “Belarus is a long way from here; the EU can’t quickly take sanctions against it.”

Turkey: a separate migration policy for the EU

Equally low are Assita Kanko’s expectations regarding Josep Borrell’s stance towards Turkey. “Erdogan is not impressed, because the EU lacks courage. Two things need to happen: on the one hand, to say that this Turkey can never become a member of the European Union, and, on the other hand, to give aid for the reception of refugees to the whole region instead of just Turkey.” It would be even better if Europe had its own migration policy, says Assita Kanko.