Turkey condemned the Greek prime minister's recent remarks on migration on Thursday and described them as "baseless and unfortunate." "The latest e
Turkey condemned the Greek prime minister’s recent remarks on migration on Thursday and described them as “baseless and unfortunate.”
“The latest example of manipulation of public opinion that Greece is attempting to conduct through the distortion of facts is the baseless and unfortunate statements of Prime Minister [Kyriakos] Mitsotakis,” Hami Aksoy, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in a statement.
Highlighting Turkey’s prominent role in migration issue, Aksoy said the current level of crossings to Europe has reduced by 94% thanks to measures taken by Ankara compared to 2015 figures, which stood at 850,000.
“It is not humane for countries located on the migration routes as well as Greece to implement ‘zero migrant policy’ and disregard the rights of these people. Greece and countries suffering from migration need to focus primarily on addressing the root causes of migration in source countries,” he said.
The spokesman noted Turkey is hosting more than 4 million migrants and said: “Our Greek counterparts, as well as the international community, should understand that it is not fair for Turkey to solely shoulder the burden of migration, which is a global problem.”
Noting that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis refused to see and acknowledge the situation, the ministry statement said Greece keeps on pushing back the irregular migrants coming at their door.
“Disregarding European values, these people are subjected to inhumane treatment,” he added.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that opting for cooperation with Turkey on the matter of migration will bring more effective results than making propaganda against the country.
The statement called on the Greek authorities to “redress the inhumane conditions migrants are going through, which are also recorded by international organizations.”
It also called on Greece to prevent the death of infants, minor migrants, as well as those who are deprived of required assistance.
Noting that migrants also have rights and freedoms under international law, the statement urged to “put an end to the ‘pushback’ practice used against migrants, which is against international law.”
It said the authorities should not use weapons against migrants. “Show respect to the beliefs of migrants as well as the common values of Europe and humanity,” Aksoy said.