EU Warns Turkey To Be Losing Visa-Free Travel To Europe

European Union (EU) has lately warned Turkey for its crackdown on media as well as political opponents saying the moves are against the values of the bloc.

EU’s Executive Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said, “I note with bitterness, I who am a friend of Turkey, that Turkey is distancing itself from Europe every day.”

Last week the country arrested nine senior staff members of the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper and ten lawmakers from pro-Kurdish party alleging to have links with terror groups.

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also restricted social media websites and apps in the country to prevent any protest against the government from being organized.

Juncker added Erdogan would blame himself if EU stops granting visa-free travel to his citizens in Europe. He needs to explain to his countrymen the reason they will not be allowed to travel freely to the EU countries.

On Wednesday the EU is learned to be releasing the latest progress report on Turkey’s membership negotiations.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the latest comment of EU is unacceptable and accused the European nations refusing to understand sensitivities of the country concerning terrorism.

Since October 2005 Turkey has been in negotiations to join EU.