EU Minister Ömer Çelik’s interview to Reuters News Agency

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik gave an interview to Reuters News Agency on 14 March 2017 and made statements on current developments, Türkiye-EU relations and visa liberalisation process.

EU Minister Ömer Çelik said he believed the time has come for Türkiye to reassess its migration deal with the European Union, as it had become clear the EU would not take a fair stance on its promise to grant Turks visa-free travel and added “Türkiye had fulfilled its side of the agreement but the EU had not kept its word”.

Regarding the sanctions to the Netherlands, Minister for EU Affairs Ömer Çelik told Dutch investment in Türkiye is not at risk from the diplomatic row between the two countries as Ankara's ire is focused on the Dutch government, not its people or businesses.

EU Minister Ömer Çelik said Ankara was making a call to businesses worldwide that Türkiye was a safe country for investment. "Dutch businessmen who invest, have businesses and create employment in Türkiye are included in this call. They are definitely not part of the crisis," he said.

Asked if Dutch companies active in Türkiye would be impacted by the row, EU Minister Ömer Çelik said: "The private sector, business world, tourists and the people of the Netherlands are not a part of the crisis."