Statements by Minister for EU Affairs Ömer Çelik regarding the agenda

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik emphasized over his twitter account that so-called “EU solidarity”, which means taking joint action, should be based on principles and it should not be a kind of “neighbourhood solidarity”.

Minister for EU Affairs Ömer Çelik stated: ”Supporting an EU country unconditionally within the so-called EU solidarity even if it is in the wrong makes it only a neighbourhood solidarity. This diminishes EU’s credibility.”

Indicating that the EU distinguished itself among all the other unions with the claim that it behaves according to universal principles, Minister Çelik said: “Thus, the EU will be tested on the basis of principles. If EU behaves on basis of “neighbourhood solidarity” instead of political values, then it will lose its most basic argument. EU’s moral highground comes from principles it champions. While calling for everyone to sign up to these principles, EU must follow them first and foremost.”

Minister Ömer Çelik also said:

“To put it openly and clearly, EU’s solidarity with Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration is not based on principles. There are no principles in this solidarity. The ones who constantly keep reminding us that we cannot treat an EU Member State in this way, now behave as if they are not aware of the statements coming from Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration.  If the EU is to behave in a principled manner, it should immediately condemn the words and actions of the person who bears the title of “Defence Minister of Greece”. This “political comedian” who bears the title of Defence Minister of Greece is constantly making provocations. By remaining silent, Greek government approves this provocateur who talks about enhancing military build-up against Türkiye.”

Drawing attention to the statements by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Cipras regarding political and legal principles in various matters, Minister Ömer Çelik said: “We remind him that lack of principles and provocations are coming from his own minister.”

Minister for EU Affairs Ömer Çelik stated:

“The EU cannot ignore the Greek Defence Minister while reminding the whole world of political principles. It should condemn this person.  It should warn the Greek government. Principles are for everyone. EU cannot neglect principles in the case of unjust positions of its members. Otherwise, EU solidarity will not be based on principles. It becomes a Cold War kind of a hollow solidarity. The level of the statements of the impertinent political comedian who bears the title of Defence Minister of Greece is a matter for the Greek government. They are statements that have to be condemned by the EU.