In recent months, the EU and its member countries have been nonplused in the face of the migrant influx. However, the struggle of migrants to reach the EU by risking their lives is more than natural. The EU is regarded as the stronghold of democracy on the world stage -- not only because of its level of welfare, but also because of its fundamental values.
Those fleeing the tyranny of their dictator only hope to find a humane life in an atmosphere of the freedom EU countries have to offer, particularly a democratic and prosperous ones. Although the EU boasts of its reputation as the land where democracy is esteemed to the highest degree, refugees who take shelter in the EU see that this is not the case in reality.
Just imagine: Refugees have to pass through territory seized by numerous terrorist groups; namely, DAESH, the PKK and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), to escape the Syrian dictator President Bashar Assad's dungeons and tyranny. After arriving on Aegean and Mediterranean shores, they sail to EU countries on unsafe boats, in the perilous struggle against storms and high waves that intensify during winter. And when they finally can reach a European country, they have to deal with the shocking treatment of some military and police officers that cannot be described as humane.
Just two months ago, a ship from the Turkish Coast Guard detected that some military officers on a ship owned by the Greek Coast Guard tried to sink a raft that was carrying a large number of refugees by making a hole in the boat. After the incident, a Greek naval forces commander issued a formal apology. In short, refugees who make their way into EU countries are subjected to such deplorable conditions that they naturally feel the need to head to more prosperous EU countries. The less developed countries in the EU, which treat refugees like herds of sheep, are leading them to flee in masses, almost by brute force.
Greek, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hungarian, Czech and Slovakian military, police and state officials play an impressive role in the high numbers of refugees heading to Austria, Germany and France. Yet still, a serious anti-refugee sentiment awaits those trying to flee their war-torn country only to reach Austria or Germany unwelcomed.
In Germany, many people including officials and state authorities, do their best to provide humane and safe conditions for refugees. But despite these efforts, racist tendencies are escalating and triggering propaganda not only against refugees, but also against foreigners; particularly Muslims. Due to rising bigotry, refugees experience various unfortunate incidents in the country, which is the most developed EU country and a stronghold of democracy.
In Bavaria, some people take refugees to Berlin in order to prevent them from settling in the regions they are in charge of. While refugees are transferred against their will almost like unwanted sheep, they are subjected to inhumane treatment, which is an embarrassment to all of humanity.
As for Switzerland, the EU would have been faced with a serious scandal had the country been an EU member. By disregarding all international and universal values, Switzerland is seizing what little money refugees have in their pockets. Yes, the country forcefully seizes the remaining money from refugees who escaped Assad's tyranny with great difficulty and lost all their belongings to human traffickers. This implementation is disgraceful in the name of Europe.
In the midst of all this, the aid the EU promised to Ankara, where over 2 million Syrians have taken refuge, is now in limbo. Italy is trying to prevent the distribution of aid in this respect, which is disrespectful. However, Italy is one of the countries that knows best the meaning of the refugee problem for a country.
While trying to hinder the aid which was supposed to be provided to Ankara, some dissident voices in the EU also blame Turkey for not preventing a higher number of refugees from traveling to Europe. However, Turkey is the only country that prevented thousands of refugees from illegally enter ing Europe; thus, saving lives of many people. EU countries, Italy in particular, know that it is impossible to completely end the refugee influx overwhelming the EU now. Despite all the measures they take and all the aid from the EU, as well as Frontex support, Spain, Italy and Greece cannot be successful in the matter.
While Turkey is at war with the PKK, DAESH and the PYD, it continues to pull its own weight in preventing illegal migrants from leaving Turkey to go to the EU.
I must speak frankly to those who criticize Turkey in this respect. Is Turkey supposed to plant mines on its borders with EU countries? Of course, Turkey would never engage in such heinous acts. Can EU countries that share borders with Turkey engage in such a tyrannous deed? I would like to underline again that the migrant influx into the EU cannot be stopped without eradicating the reasons for their escape. And this is only possible through subverting the dictatorships from which they flee.
For this very reason, I think those who do not fulfill their personal responsibilities in the EU, reject the refugees arriving in their countries and still oppose the financial aid to Ankara are not sincere.
Before any Turkish authority, German Chancellor Angela Merkel clearly said this. On Sunday, Merkel repeated that Ankara is receiving very limited international assistance despite having taken in 2.5 million refugees. Addressing the EU countries that do not provide proper living conditions for refugees, Merkel said: "We want to fix the refugees' situation. Turkey has opened its doors to 2.5 million refugees, 900,000 of whom are children who need a proper education. Turkey has so far received very limited assistance on this issue," pointing out the EU's responsibilities. Hopefully, the addressees will grasp the importance of her message.
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