Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim today warned the European Union member-states that without Ankara’s help Europe would be “flooded” by waves of immigrants, noting that the suspension of EU accession talks for Turkey would be more damaging to the European continent than to Turkey.

“We are one of the elements that protects Europe. If refugees cross our borders, they will flood and inundate Europe, and Turkey prevents that from happening,” said the Turkish Prime Minister in statements that were broadcast live by Turkish television.  “I acknowledge that the interruption of relations with Europe would harm Turkey, but the damage would be five to six times worse for Europe,” he said.

Earlier today, the European Parliament voted in favor of freezing talks with Turkey because of the Turkish government’s “disproportionate” reaction in the failed coup of July 15.

Earlier, the Turkish prime minister had stated: “We expect European leaders to resist this lack of vision. The EU will have to decide if it wants to continue its vision of the future with or without Turkey.”

In a tweet, the vice president of the Turkish Government Mehmet Simsek described the European Parliament’s decision as “populist” and “short-sighted,” noting that such a development would not encourage the adoption of reforms in Turkey.