Merkel warns Erdogan his authoritarian drift endangers visa deal. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: No Turkey visa waiver, no refugee deal

German chancellor Angela Merkel met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 23 May 2016 and expressed her 'deep concern' over the state of democracy in Turkey. Ms Merkel showed her doubts over whether a plan to liberalise the European Union's visa policy towards Turkey would be implemented on time.

Mr Erdogan later warned that Turkish parliament would be unable to pass legislation to stem the flow of refugees to Europe if the country was not granted its demand of visa-free travel.

This meeting followed a series of events which put into doubt Mr Erdogan's commitment with democracy and freedom of expression, in the context of a constitutional reform under way in Turkey. These events took place as the country negotiated with the EU a visa liberalisation agreement, which was tied in with the country's EU membership aspirations and the migration agreement designed to contain the inflow of refugees and migrants into Europe.

ESO: Background information: German resolution on Armenian genocide expected to sour Turkey relationship http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-resolution-on-armenian-genocide-expected-to-sour-turkey-relationship/

ESO: Background information: Court grants Erdogan injunction against comedian Jan Böhmermann http://www.europeansources.info/record/court-grants-erdogan-injunction-against-comedian-jan-bohmermann/

ESO: Background information: Greek ‘Plan B’ reported, if EU-Turkey deal collapses http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-plan-b-reported-if-eu-turkey-deal-collapses-erdogan-says-he-wants-visa-waiver-by-october-turkey-eu-trade-barbs-over-visa-free-travel-conditions/

ESO: Background information: New Turkish premier vows allegiance to Erdogan http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-turkish-premier-vows-allegiance-to-erdogan/

ESO: Background information: Merkel’s Austria Problem, Merkel’s Turkey Problem http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkels-austria-problem-merkels-turkey-problem/

ESO: Background information: Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on today's decision on Turkish Parliament on the lifting of parliamentary immunity http://www.europeansources.info/record/joint-statement-by-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-and-commissioner-johannes-hahn-on-todays-decision-on-turkish-parliament-on-the-lifting-of-parliamentary-immunity/

Spiegel Online International, 13.05.16: Refugee Wrangling: Merkel's Deal with Turkey in Danger of Collapse http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/merkel-refugee-deal-with-turkey-in-danger-of-failure-a-1092331.html

Deutsche Welle, 23.05.16: [Opinion]: Merkel in denial over Erdogan http://dw.com/p/1ItGc

Euronews, 23.05.16: Germany’s Merkel tells Turkey to meet all terms for visa-free travel http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/23/germany-s-merkel-tells-turkey-to-meet-all-terms-for-visa-free-travel/

Deutsche Welle, 22.05.16: German Chancellor Merkel expresses concerns over Kurds in Turkey http://dw.com/p/1Isbz

The Local.de, 22.05.16: Events in Turkey 'a great concern,' says German leader http://www.thelocal.de/20160522/events-in-turkey-a-great-concern-says-german-leader

The Local.de, 23.05.16: Merkel meets Erdogan in Istanbul as critics growl http://www.thelocal.de/20160523/grumbles-grow-as-merkel-fights-for-turkey-refugee-deal

EUObserver, 24.05.16: Merkel casts doubt on Turkey visa-free travel https://euobserver.com/migration/133518

EUObserver, 23.05.16: Merkel in Turkey to salvage migrant deal https://euobserver.com/migration/133507

Politico, 24.05.16: At Angie and Erdoğan show, US takes low profile http://www.politico.eu/article/un-humanitarian-united-nations-turkey-germany-refugee-summit-tackles-the-symptoms-not-the-causes/

EurActiv, 25.05.16: Erdogan says Turkish parliament will block EU refugee deal if no visa-free travel http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/erdogan-says-turkey-parliament-will-block-eu-refugee-deal-if-no-visa-free-travel/

The Local.de, 23.05.16: Merkel: Turkey failing to meet EU terms for visa-free travel http://www.thelocal.de/20160523/merkel-tells-erdogan-of-deep-concern-over-new-law

The Wall Street Journal, 23.05.16: Merkel Voices Concerns With Turkey’s Commitment to Democracy http://www.wsj.com/articles/merkel-voices-concerns-with-turkeys-commitment-to-democracy-1464021516

BBC News, 25.05.16: Migrant crisis: Turkey could block EU deal over visas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36373973

The Guardian, 24.05.16: Turkey threatens to block EU migration deal without visa-free travel http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/turkey--eu-migration-deal-visa-free-travel-recep-tayyip-erdogan

Euronews, 25.05.16: Turkey warns EU migrant deal could collapse if visa-waiver isn’t speeded up http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/25/turkey-warns-eu-migrant-deal-could-collapse-if-visa-waiver-isn-t-speeded-up/

Politico, 25.05.16: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: No Turkey visa waiver, no refugee deal http://www.politico.eu/article/recep-tayyip-erdogan-no-turkey-visa-waiver-no-refugee-deal-refugee/

EurActiv, 26.05.16: Merkel says ‘not worried’ about EU-Turkey migrant deal http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/merkel-says-not-worried-about-eu-turkey-migrant-deal/

ESO: Background information: Time to start talking Turkey with Erdoğan http://www.europeansources.info/record/time-to-start-talking-turkey-with-erdogan/

Spiegel Online International, 26.05.16: 'Disaster in the Making': The Many Failures of the EU-Turkey Refugee Deal http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-refugee-deal-between-the-eu-and-turkey-is-failing-a-1094339.html

Hürriyet Daily News, 24.05.16: Erdoğan says Turkish Parliament will block EU migrant deal if no visa-free travel http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-says-turkish-parliament-will-block-eu-migrant-deal-if-no-visa-free-travel-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99629&NewsCatID=510

Hürriyet Daily News, 25.05.16: New minister: EU isn’t sole option for Turkey http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-minister-eu-isnt-sole-option-for-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99646&NewsCatID=510

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