Turkey blasts Europe's 'silence' on NZ terror attacks

ANKARA

Turkey’s president on Monday blasted European countries for being silent in the face of last week's terror attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, killing or injuring some 100 people.

Europe is silent on this issue, and the Western media is insidious, said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in a televised interview.

At least 50 people were killed when a terrorist opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers last week at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

About as many were injured, with several still in critical condition.

Turkish-EU ties

Commenting on Turkish-EU relations, Erdogan said the EU cannot halt Turkey's accession negotiations because they need Turkey.

Erdogan's remarks came after the European Parliament last week passed a non-binding report urging the suspension of Turkey's EU accession process.

Ankara slammed the report for bias, inaccuracy, and prejudice.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.

But negotiations stalled in 2007 due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot administration on the divided island of Cyprus as well as opposition from Germany and France.

Defeating terror corridor in northern Syria

Speaking on a potential terrorist corridor in northern Syria, Erdogan said if Turkey had not carried out operations in Afrin and Jarabulus, its southern borders would be occupied by PYD/YPG terrorists, referring to Turkey’s successful Operation Olive Branch in Syria.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch last January to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch.