Erdoğan threatens to open borders to migrants

European Union - Turkey relations took a downturn following the adoption by the European Parliament of a Non-Legislative Resolution on the 24 November 2016 which called for a temporary freeze on EU accession talks with Turkey.

In response, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened in a speech on the 25 November 2016 that Turkey would open up its border gates and let refugees stream toward Europe 'if the EU goes further'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Debate at the plenary session on Turkey's accession to the European Union - Freeze EU accession talks with Turkey, urge MEPs, November 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/debate-at-the-plenary-session-on-turkeys-accession-to-the-european-union-freeze-eu-accession-talks-with-turkey-urge-meps/

EUObserver, 25.11.16: EU in damage control on festering Turkey relations https://euobserver.com/enlargement/136045

Sputnik International, 26.11.16: German Politician in EU Parliament Rules Out Turkish Accession https://sputniknews.com/politics/201611261047875406-germany-turkey-eu-accession/

Hürriyet Daily News, 26.11.16: ‘Europe should make a choice,’ says Turkish PM http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/europe-should-make-a-choice-says-turkish-pm.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106597&NewsCatID=338

Hürriyet Daily News, 25.11.16: Turkey will ‘open up border gates’ if EU goes further: Erdoğan http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-will-open-up-border-gates-if-eu-goes-further-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=106550&NewsCatID=510

ESO: Background information: Austria: EU must prepare borders for end of Turkey migrant deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/austria-eu-must-prepare-borders-for-end-of-turkey-migrant-deal/

ESO: Background information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-7-march-2016/

EurActiv, 06.12.16: Turkey’s EU membership bid set to enter ice age http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/turkeys-eu-membership-bid-set-to-enter-ice-age/

Politico, 06.12.16: UN refugee chief worried about EU-Turkey migration deal http://www.politico.eu/article/un-refugee-chief-worried-about-eu-turkey-migration-deal/

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