ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Minister of European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said Thursday that Germany should not use Turkey as a material of domestic politics.
Speaking at the Istanbul Television Forum and Fair held in Istanbul by the Professional Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (RATEM), Turkish EU Minister Bagis stated that it is unbefitting Germany and Chancellor Merkel to attempt to block Turkey's EU accession process.
EU Minister Bagis slammed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's remarks on Turkey regarding Taksim Gezi Park protests. "Turkey should not be used as a material of domestic politics. Turkey's EU accession process should progress on a technical track. Blocking Turkey's EU negotiations at the technical level is unbefitting Germany's Merkel," Bagis told.
Stressing that there are several instances of protests and demonstrations in European countries, Bagis noted that "Security officials in the EU countries responsible for protecting the public order may sometimes overstep their authority and use excessive power. However, it falls within the rules of democracy when security officials are laid off or legal investigations are conducted for them as we did for some Turkish security officials for their handling of Gezi Park protests."
"If Mrs. Merkel looks into it she will see that those who mess about with Turkey do not have an auspicious end," he also said.
Bagis added "Merkel always voiced she would be loyal to the most significant EU principle 'pacta sunt servanda' (agreements must be kept)".
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