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

<p>UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS </p> <p>By Faruk Zorlu</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – 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.</p> <p>Europe is silent on this issue, and the Western media is insidious, said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in a televised interview.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>About as many were injured, with several still in critical condition.</p> <p><br></p> <p>- Turkish-EU ties</p> <p>Commenting on Turkish-EU relations, Erdogan said the EU cannot halt Turkey's accession negotiations because they need Turkey.</p> <p>Erdogan's remarks came after the European Parliament last week passed a non-binding report urging the suspension of Turkey's EU accession process.</p> <p>Ankara slammed the report for bias, inaccuracy, and prejudice.</p> <p>Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.</p> <p>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.</p> <p> </p> <p>- Defeating terror corridor in northern Syria</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch last January to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.</p> <p>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.</p>

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