Erdogan threatens EU with migrants surge
China Daily
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Migrants heading for Greece pass through a border area near Edirne in Turkey on Tuesday. They are aiming to cross into Kastanies in Greece. (Photo: Agencies)

ISTANBUL-Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that "millions" of migrants would soon head for Europe, drawing accusations from leaders of the European Union that he is trying to pressure them into backing his incursions into Syria.

Turkey gave the green light to refugees and migrants on Friday to leave for EU countries and thousands have since massed at the Greek border, triggering fears of an influx like that which poisoned European politics in 2015.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU".

But Turkey, which hosts roughly four million refugees, is trying to hold off another mass influx from Syria-where government forces are advancing into the last rebel stronghold of Idlib Province.

Erdogan further ramped up the pressure late on Monday, saying he had turned down an EU offer of 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in extra aid for migrants, adding to a 6-billion-euro deal agreed in 2016.

"We don't want this money," Erdogan said at a news conference without specifying when the money was offered, or by whom.

His office later added that he had spoken to Merkel over the phone and warned once again that Europe must take a "fair share of the burden" of dealing with migrants.

He claimed the numbers of migrants at the Greek border-who include Afghans, Syrian and Iraqis-were far higher than figures provided by officials and reporters at the scene, saying "hundreds of thousands" were already there.

"There will be more. Soon, this number will be expressed in millions," Erdogan said.

Greece said nearly 10,000 people were barred from entering the country over the weekend. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas at the refugees.

In desperation, many have sought alternative routes and Greek port police said a young boy died when a makeshift boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos.

Athens has suspended asylum applications by those entering illegally and said it would boost patrols.

Turkish offensive

The migrant question came up as Turkey launched a military operation in Idlib in northwestern Syria in a bid to push back the government's offensive.

Millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes during the nine-year civil conflict, but they are not being allowed to enter Turkey.

Erdogan said he hoped for a cease-fire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this week.

Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, both countries are keen to avoid direct clashes that would jeopardize their broader trade and defense ties.

"I hope that he (Putin) will take the necessary measures there, such as a cease-fire, and that we will find a solution to this affair," Erdogan said in a speech on Monday.

The Kremlin said cooperation with Turkey was a top priority.

Experts agreed that Turkey's response to the deaths of more than 50 soldiers in Idlib since the start of February is out of the ordinary.

"There is currently a state of undeclared war between Turkey and Syria," said Oytun Orhan, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

He said that despite the diverging interests between Turkey and Russia in Idlib, a compromise seems very likely through the meeting.

But "they will not stand down and will negotiate by means of military force on the table and on the ground", Orhan added.

Turkey backs some rebel groups in Idlib and has observation posts under a 2018 deal with Russia. But the Syrian government has made steady progress since December.

Tensions between Turkey and Syria reached new heights last week when 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike blamed on Damascus, its heaviest loss since it first intervened in the conflict.

Turkey then retaliated with an operation that saw two Syrian warplanes shot down on Sunday, as well as at least 19 Syrian soldiers killed in drone strikes.

Erdogan said on Monday that Syrian losses were "just the beginning "unless it pulled back behind the borders agreed under the 2018 deal.

Damascus responded that it was "determined to confront the flagrant Turkish aggression".