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Security around Erdogan tight as Brussels braces for NATO talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to press the European Union on terrorism, its customs union and Turkey’s accession talks, though Human Rights Watch has called on the EU to prioritize human rights as it renegotiates the existing customs union.
BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 14: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves the stage after speaking during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing, Sunday, May 14, 2017. The Belt and Road Forum focuses on the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) trade initiative. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein-Pool/Getty Images)

With Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan poised to meet with NATO leaders in Brussels today at the alliance’s yearly summit, local authorities fearing violence between his critics and supporters banned rallies near the Turkish leader’s hotel.

Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur told Belgian television, “We noticed that the Turkish protests became violent recently.” He also touched upon the mayhem unleashed by Erdogan’s security detail in Washington last week. Brussels is home to thousands of Turks and Kurds with sharply differing political views, so clashes were likely.

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