Faced with a new migration wave from Afghanistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on European nations on Thursday to shoulder the responsibility for Afghans fleeing the Taliban.
Mr Erdogan said that his country would not become Europe’s “refugee warehouse.”
In a televised address after a Cabinet meeting, he said his government would, “if necessary”, engage in talks with a government that could be formed by the Taliban, ”for the stability and security of this country".
There has been an increase in recent weeks in the number of Afghans making their way into Turkey across the border from Iran.
Anti-migrant sentiment is running high in Turkey as it tackles economic woes, including high unemployment, that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, and there is little desire to take in more people.
“We need to remind our European friends of this fact: Europe, which has become the centre of attraction for millions of people, cannot stay out of the problem by harshly sealing its borders to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens,” Mr Erdogan said.
“Turkey has no duty, responsibility or obligation to be Europe’s refugee warehouse."
He said Turkey was home to 5 million foreign nationals, including 3.6 million Syrians who fled the civil war in the neighbouring country, and 300,000 Afghans.
About 1.1 million are foreigners with residence permits, Mr Erdogan said.
In 2016, Ankara and the EU signed a deal for Turkey to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees towards Europe, in return for visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and EU financial support.
Mr Erdogan has frequently accused the EU of not keeping its side of the bargain.
He said he was aware of the Turkish public’s “unease” about refugees.
Mr Erdogan repeated that the country had reinforced its border with Iran with military, gendarmerie and police, and that a wall being built along the frontier was nearing completion.
“Our state is primarily responsible for the safety and well-being of its 84 million citizens," he said.
"On the other hand, we are not a society that lacks character, thinks only about itself and turns its back on those who come to our door."
In reference to the millions of Syrians in Turkey, Mr Erdogan said those who had learnt Turkish, acquired professional skills and adapted to the country would remain in Turkey, while others would have to return to Syria when conditions there improved.
“It is our responsibility towards our own citizens to help those who do not succeed to return to their homes in parallel with an improvement of the situation in their own country,” he said.
About 450,000 Syrians have already returned to Syria, Mr Erdogan said.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
