This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/erdogan-turkey-not-alter-anti-terror-laws-visa-free-travel-eu
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Erdoğan: Turkey will not alter anti-terror laws for visa-free travel in EU | Erdoğan: Turkey will not alter anti-terror laws for visa-free travel in EU |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Turkey would not alter its anti-terrorism legislation for the sake of visa-free travel for its citizens to EU, telling European countries: “We’ll go our way, you go yours.” | The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said Turkey would not alter its anti-terrorism legislation for the sake of visa-free travel for its citizens to EU, telling European countries: “We’ll go our way, you go yours.” |
| Related: Turkey-EU refugees deal may be biggest casualty of Erdoğan supremacy | Related: Turkey-EU refugees deal may be biggest casualty of Erdoğan supremacy |
| Changes to Turkey’s domestic terrorism legislation to avoid conflicts with freedom of expression was one of five remaining conditions set by the European commission on Wednesday when it gave its provisional approval to visa-waivers for Turkish citizens. | Changes to Turkey’s domestic terrorism legislation to avoid conflicts with freedom of expression was one of five remaining conditions set by the European commission on Wednesday when it gave its provisional approval to visa-waivers for Turkish citizens. |
| The promise of visa-free travel was a key part of the bargain EU leaders struck with Turkey to stop the flow of migrants and refugees to Greece - a deal which Erdoğan had appeared to show little interest in. | The promise of visa-free travel was a key part of the bargain EU leaders struck with Turkey to stop the flow of migrants and refugees to Greece - a deal which Erdoğan had appeared to show little interest in. |
| The Turkish president was speaking the day after the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, who had negotiated the deal, announced he was stepping down because of a rift with the president. | The Turkish president was speaking the day after the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, who had negotiated the deal, announced he was stepping down because of a rift with the president. |
| Turkey must complete five more benchmarks by the end of next month to complete the EU’s list of 72 criteria - which include changes to anti-terror law as well as protection of personal data. | Turkey must complete five more benchmarks by the end of next month to complete the EU’s list of 72 criteria - which include changes to anti-terror law as well as protection of personal data. |
| “Why aren’t you changing your mindset when you allowed terrorists who put up tents close to the EU Parliament?” Erdoğan said in a swipe at Brussels, in apparent reference to tents set up by Kurdish activists in March. | |
| “You will allow terrorists to set up tents, say you are doing it in the name of democracy, and then tell us to change our terrorism law for visas. We’ll go our way, you go yours. Go make your agreement with whoever you can.” | |
| Erdoğan said on Friday he was also pressing for a rapid switch to a presidential system, turning the constitutionally ceremonial position of president into a stronger executive office. Critics fear that would concentrate too much power in his hands. | Erdoğan said on Friday he was also pressing for a rapid switch to a presidential system, turning the constitutionally ceremonial position of president into a stronger executive office. Critics fear that would concentrate too much power in his hands. |
| Davutoğlu, who has been less than enthusiastic toward a presidential system, is widely expected to be replaced by someone who is more willing to push it forward. | Davutoğlu, who has been less than enthusiastic toward a presidential system, is widely expected to be replaced by someone who is more willing to push it forward. |