Merkel ‘not worried’ about EU-Turkey migrant agreement

AFP
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, front right, and German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel, left, arrive for a press conference after a cabinet meeting as part of a two-day retreat of the German government in Meseberg north of Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. (AP)

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday brushed off concerns about a landmark EU-Turkey deal designed to stem the flow of migrants to Europe after critical comments by her Turkish counterpart.
“I am not worried,” Merkel told reporters. “Maybe some issues will require more time, but in principle we, for our part, will stick to the agreement.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned the European Union that the Turkish Parliament would block laws related to the deal if Ankara was not granted its key demand of visa-free travel.
The stark warning came amid spiralling tensions between the Turkish leader and the EU over a string of issues ranging from existing accords to human rights.
There have been growing indications Turks will not be given the visa-free travel by the target of the end of June, and Merkel warned after talks with Erdogan on Monday that the target was unlikely to be met.
EU leaders are insisting that Turkey abide by 72 conditions before the visa exemption takes place, with a demand to change counter-terrorism laws proving particularly contentious.
The EU wants Ankara to narrow its definition of terror to stop prosecuting academics and journalists for publishing “terror propaganda.”