Statement by Minister for EU Affairs Ömer Çelik regarding Statements made by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz

Regarding the statements by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz that the talks on membership between the EU and Türkiye should be ended, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik said “We continue our work despite persons like Chancellor Kurz. We are working to produce the positive agendas needed by the world and our region.”

Minister Ömer Çelik indicated in his statement over his official twitter account that Chancellor Kurz was making “irrational statements” just as Türkiye and the EU were concentrating on the positive agenda in Türkiye-EU relations. 

Minister Ömer Çelik who reminded that Chancellor Kurz was saying that accession negotiations with Türkiye should be ended, said “Kurz’s statements regarding any matter cannot be taken seriously, not just those regarding Türkiye.”  Minister Ömer Çelik underlined that Chancellor Kurz should be asked why he was so afraid of the improvement in Türkiye-EU relations and why he adopted an approach on this matter, along with other matters, which was closer to anti-EU racists than an EU-supporter. 

Minister EU Ömer Çelik pointed out the statement “We oppose Türkiye’s EU membership but we want to advance our neighbourly relations” was the biggest lie fabricated in Europe and said “We know the motives of those who spread these lies, in particular Chancellor Kurz.  We continue our work despite persons like Chancellor Kurz. We are working to produce the positive agendas needed by the world and our region.”