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Mr Juncker dismissed President Erdogan’s threats to walk away from an EU deal to stem the flow of migrants across its borders and he warned he will not be intimidated by Turkey as Germany called for talks to be scrapped. Ankara has threatened to spark a new wave of migrant movement to Europe if Brussels fails to grant Turks visa-free travel to the bloc by the end of December. The European Commission President said Turkish leaders would be to blame if the deal collapses. Mr Juncker warned Turkey is drifting away from democratic values and closer ties with Europe.

BLOOMBERG Jean-Claude Juncker warned he will not be threatened by Turkey President Erdogan

I am immune to threats from Turkey's leaders Jean-Claude Juncker

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, he said: "I am immune to threats from Turkey's leaders. "If Turkey does not fulfil the conditions laid down, there will be no progress on visas.” He added if the deal falls apart ”it will be Turkey's fault."

Turkey agreed in March to stop illegal migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid for those in its care, the promise of visa-free travel for its citizens to much of the EU, and accelerated EU membership talks. The deal was agreed last year when more than a million people arrived in Europe, most reaching Greek islands by boat and continuing by land to Germany, France and Britain. But there has been deadlock over the plan to grant Turks visa-free access to Europe, with Brussels first wanting Turkey to change its anti-terrorism laws, which it deems too broad.

AFP Jean-Claude Juncker dismissed threats from Turkey

European leaders criticised Turkey's detention of leaders of the country's main pro-Kurdish opposition party in an investigation on Friday. Turkey drew international condemnation for the arrest on Friday of leaders and lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the second-largest opposition grouping in parliament, as part of a terrorism investigation. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Europe of abetting terrorism by supporting Kurdish militants and said he did not care if it called him a dictator.

ANADOLU Turkey agreed in March to stop migrants from crossing into Greece

13 pictures that will make you STOP and THINK Sun, February 5, 2017 Shocking pictures show the true devastation caused from the migrant crisis. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 13 A Turkish gendarmerie carries Aylan Kurdi's body after he drowned in a failed attempt to sail to the Greek island of Kos

More than 110,000 officials - from soldiers and judges to teachers and journalists - have been detained or suspended since a failed military coup in July, in what Mr Erdogan's critics say is a crackdown on all forms of dissent. Mr Juncker did not comment directly on the arrests, but he did brand the reaction of the government to a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15 "excessive". He said: "I note with sadness that Turkey is moving away from Europe; it is not Europe that is moving away from Turkey.”

AFP GETTY Campaigners protest the arrest of two leaders of Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party

AFP Manfred Weber demanded the EU suspend talks with Turkey

It comes as a key ally of Angela Merkel demanded the EU suspend talks with Turkey. Manfred Weber said the current situation in Turkey is “a real tragedy”. Mr Weber, an influential member of the sister party of Ms Merkel’s Christian Democrats and president of the European People’s Party at the European Parliament, said as a result talks cannot continue.