EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs EU: ErdoganApril 19, 2016 - 17:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union needs Turkey more than Ankara needs the bloc, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday, April 19, denouncing a new European Parliament report that was sharply critical of the rule of law in his country, AFP reports. His comments come amid controversy in Europe over a deal between Brussels and Turkey to stop the flow of migrants from war-torn Syria and other troubled countries to EU territory. "The European Union needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the European Union," Erdogan said to cheers in a televised speech to municipal leaders in Ankara, denouncing as "provocative" last week's European Parliament report which accused Ankara of backsliding on democracy. He lashed out at the report for not praising Turkey's hosting of some 2.7 million refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, AFP says. "Three million people have been looked after in this country so they don't disturb the Europeans. Is there anything about this in the report?" said Erdogan. "At a time when our relations with the European Union are in a positive phase regarding the migrants... it is provocative to come out with a report like that," he added. Turkey has been given a string of promises from the European Union in return for stepping up work to stop migrants crossing to EU territory and also taking them back. Read also:Turkey must first meet criteria for visa-free travel, EU’s Juncker says Photo. Haberler Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Russian Ambassador to Armenia summoned to Moscow for consultations Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has been summoned to Moscow for consultations. Armenian border troops stationed in Tavush Starting from May 24, the Armenian border troops officially take over the protection of sections of the border in the Tavush region. Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. |