Summary:

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, who is currently substituting for Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, says President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s threat to open Turkey’s borders to Europe is a game even though the situation is serious. Mr Mykkänen notes that the European Parliament’s decision to freeze membership negotiations with Turkey indicates that the human rights situation in Turkey has developed in a worrisome way after the failed coup last summer. He says that cooperation with Turkey on refugee issues should be possible also in the future but at the same time the country should be pressured into upholding rule of law.

Media:  MTV – Finland

Date: 25.11.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen