EU 'needs' Turkey to tackle refugee crisis, Daesh

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS (AA) - Europe needs Turkey to help tackle the refugee crisis, and defeat Daesh in Syria, Czech member of European Parliament Tomas Zdechovsky said Saturday.

"Wednesday's horrific attack by Daesh in front of the British Parliament has proven this once again," he told Anadolu Agency.

The attack outside the parliament building in Westminster, central London, saw the attacker drive into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing four people, and injuring at least 50. The attacker was shot dead by armed police.

Zdechovsky called for building "a realistic perspective for Turkey vis-à-vis the EU," which he said was "essential for a partnership at eye level."

"Continuously speaking of EU membership is not useful nor realistic in this respect at this low point of our relationship with Turkey; while completely terminating the negotiations eradicates all motivation for a pro-Western development in Turkey and robs the EU of any leverage.

"Realpolitik is what is needed here!" he said.

The Czech MEP also commented on the ban imposed by several EU members against Turkish ministers holding rallies in their respective countries ahead of Turkey's upcoming constitutional referendum.

"Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek is absolutely right when he complains about European double standards in this area.

"How can we forbid Turkish ministers to publicly speak in some of our member states on the one hand, while allowing the EU terror listed PKK to demonstrate on our streets in the ten thousands. I would like to use the opportunity to join Simsek's words of reason and moderation," he said.

PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, EU and the U.S.