Reducing EU funding for Turkey should be the consequence of its invasion of Northern Syria

“The Turkish invasion of northern Syria has started. We condemn it. It is not legitimate. 

This region has enough weapons, has seen enough violence, has seen enough forced migration and enough suffering, especially the civilian population”, declared Michael Gahler MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on Foreign Affairs.

“Unfortunately, the decision by the American President to withdraw American presence over there has triggered this Turkish initiative”, he added, insisting that cutting EU funding for Turkey might be the direct consequence of the invasion.

“The European Union is not in a strong position to influence those on the ground. But we, in the European Parliament, are currently discussing next year’s budget including the pre-accession support for Turkey. One of the reactions from our side could be to reduce the foreseen budget for this purpose. That should send a clear signal to Mr Erdogan that we, by no means appreciate this new action in a neighbouring country”, he stressed.