EU ambassador to Turkey resigns: EU Delegation sources

Haber took up his post in Turkey in September.

An EU spokesman in Brussels did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ankara will “never” change its anti-terrorism law, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said during a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, adding that the country would rather forgo visa-free European Union access.

Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim stressed that anti-terror laws would not be amended.

The rising violence has displaced some 200,000 people in southeast Turkey and killed thousands of civilians, security forces and Kurdish militants. Turkey’s parliament lifted immunities for more than 150 lawmakers in May, paving the way for 50 Kurdish deputies to face terrorism-related charges.

The European Commission is on Wednesday due to publish its second report on the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement, which will include updates on any progress made in the visa liberalisation dispute.

“In these conditions there can not be any discussion of changing the laws on the fight against terror”, Yildirim said in a speech to his parliamentary party.

It also shows just how far Turkey has to go before it will be accepted into the European Union fold.

His comments appeared to indicate frustration Turkey had begun by negotiating the refugee deal in a professional manner but was resorting to bargaining tactics.

Having been frustrated by Turkish officials resorting to bargaining tactics, he said: “We have a saying: ‘Start like a Turk and end like a German.’ But here it is the other way round”, Turkish media reported.

Analysts said Haber’s departure was indicative of the increasingly fractious relationship between Ankara and Brussels, as both sides try to implement the migrant deal.

The ambassador subsequently clarified his comments to say that he meant it as a compliment to Turkey’s ability to chart a flexible course to get a deal done.

He was called to Turkey’s foreign ministry and asked to explain his words, which evoked negative cultural stereotypes. “His statements have been condemned”.