Greece’s Margaritis Schinas, the European Commission Vice President, in charge of the portfolio called Promoting Our European Way of Life, announced on Tuesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and will be self-isolating.
The admission was made public in a post on Schinas’ Twitter page. “I have just learned that my regular scheduled #COVID19 test before the College came back positive. I am now self-isolating as required. Stay safe,” the EU Commission Vice President said.
“Sorry to Disappoint, but This is Our Way of Life”
The EU Commissioner had responded to Turkey on Sunday after Erdogan’s communications director accused Europe of intimidating Muslims.
“Europe is an increasingly dangerous place for Muslims,” Fahrettin Altun, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s communications director said in a series of tweets on Sunday.
“The dog whistle politics of offensive caricatures, accusations of separatism against Muslims, and mosque raids isn’t about freedom of expression. It’s about intimidating and reminding Muslims that they are welcome to keep the European economy going, but they will never belong,” he said.
“Some European leaders today do not just target Muslims in their midst. They attack our sacred values, our scripture, our prophet and our political leaders — our way of life,” Altun added.
Some European leaders today do not just target Muslims in their midst. They attack our sacred values, our scripture, our prophet and our political leaders — our way of life.
— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) October 25, 2020
Altun’s comments were rebuffed by Margaritis Schinas, the European Union Commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life, who replied on Twitter saying, “Sorry to disappoint you, but this is our way of life as defined in our Treaty.”
Sorry to disappoint you but this is our way of life as defined in our Treaty. The European Way of Life. https://t.co/5V8wVqnWGZ pic.twitter.com/peKQi0ovW7
— Margaritis Schinas (@MargSchinas) October 25, 2020
The exchange occurred a day after France recalled its ambassador, signaling a deepening rift between Turkey and Europe.
On Saturday, Erdogan had stated that French President Emmanuel Macron needed “mental treatment,” saying he had displayed religious intolerance after the murder of a school teacher who showed cartoon images of the Prophet Mohammed to students.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
