Turkish deputy PM: Racism, main enemy of culture of living together

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Saturday that racism is now the main enemy of the culture of living together as it is on the rise both in Europe and in Turkey. Paying a visit to the French capital of Paris, Bozdag addressed the people attending the "Anadolu Festival" held at the exhibition area of Ville Pinte. Bozdag highlighted the European crisis of values as well as its economy, saying "We witness terrible examples of racism and discrimination which are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the core values of Europe." Referring to the Turkish citizen Mikail Tekin who died in a Belgian prison, Bozdag stated that "He was killed by three guardians in the prison. The court ruled to acquit them on grounds of self defense. It is an example of breaking the law. But it is only one of the examples that values of the European Union are violated by courts." Deputy PM Bozdag stressed that racism is escalating both in Europe and in Turkey, which never brings peace and tranquility to any part of the world. "Racism is now the main enemy of the culture of living together. Discrimination and Islamophobia are the main obstacles to living together in peace and tranquility. It's not enough that Turkey fights against them alone. It must be an all-fight," noted Bozdag.