Turkey does not want to become a "hub" for Afghan migrants wanting to reach the West

Migrants, mostly Afghans, are detained by Turkish forces in the eastern town of Van, August 21, 2021. © Murad Sezer, Reuters

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3 min

As incidents increase in Kabul a week after the Taliban seized power, thousands of people are flocking to the airport in the Afghan capital to try to leave the country.

Turkey, a member of NATO and participating in the evacuations, fears a massive influx of migrants at its border.

The country of Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to become a land of transit for Afghans wanting to reach a Western country.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul,

Anne Andlauer

The

Turkey does not encourage Afghans

who wish to seek asylum in Europe or the United States to

do so from its territory

.

This is an option that Western officials have suggested in recent weeks.

After a telephone interview on Sunday 22 August with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had received a request to host local employees of a European Union mission in Afghanistan. In response, the Turkish head of state called on Europeans “ 

not to expect Turkey to take responsibility for third countries

 ”.

His Foreign Office then denied reports from British media which claimed that the United Kingdom was seeking to establish “ 

hubs

 ” in countries such as Pakistan and Turkey to initially welcome asylum seekers.

“ 

We have not received an official request from a country.

If such a request was made, we would not accept it,

 ”Ankara said.

Turkey recalls that it already hosts

3.7 million Syrians

and at least 300,000 Afghans, whose

presence is unpopular within public opinion

.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan fears that a new influx will reduce his chances of being re-elected in 2023.

►

 See also: Syrian refugees in Turkey, peaceful cohabitation

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  • Afghanistan

  • Turkey

  • Immigration

  • International Migration

  • Refugees

  • Taliban

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