The European Commission is concerned over the news of the expulsion of Brussels accredited Greek correspondent Evangelos Aretaios from Turkey, as well as over “Turkey’s attempts to undermine freedom of expression and the pluralism of media”, spokesperson Nabila Massrali said, responding to a question by the Cyprus News Agency during the day’s midday briefing.
Aretaios is the Brussels correspondent for Cypriot media group Dialogos and Greek newspaper Real News, has worked as a correspondent for Cypriot media over a period of years, and is also a research associate at the University of Nicosia and ELIAMEP.
“While granting permission to foreign nationals to enter a country’s territory is a national competence and Turkey’s prerogative in this case, the EU views with concern Turkey’s attempts to undermine freedom of expression and the pluralism of media” Massrali said.
“Targeting of media and journalists runs contrary to Turkey’s obligations as a candidate country and long-standing member of the Council of Europe” she added.
“The EU has been unequivocal in recommending that Turkey ensures a safe, plural and enabling environment for the media to carry out their work independently” the spokesperson underlined.
“We will be following the developments closely. Our concern about the state of freedom of expression and of the press in Turkey persists” she stressed.
Source: Cyprus News Agency