EU on Northern Ireland violence, Turkey seat gaffe

The European Commission on Thursday condemned the violence in Northern Ireland, where Britain’s exit from the European Union has unsettled an uneasy political balance.

"We call on all those involved to refrain immediately from these violent acts," said Chief Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer, at the daily briefing in Brussels.

Crowds from Protestant and Catholic communities hurled bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs at police and each other overnight in Belfast, as a week of street violence escalated.

A total of 55 police officers had been injured over several nights of disorder in the region.

Mamer, meanwhile, faced a second day of questions related to an incident that occurred when European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

The guests were led into a large room for discussions with Erdogan, but only two chairs had been set out in front of the EU and Turkish flags for the three leaders.

Von der Leyen was later seen seated on a large beige sofa, away from her male counterparts.

The images drew intense criticism on social media and accusations of gender discrimination.

"We must not exaggerate the importance that we ourselves were able to give to this event," Mamer said.

Mamer said, "I think that on substance the message which both the president of the European Council and of the European Commission gave to the Turkish authorities was precisely characterised by its unity, its frankness and the willingness to look at how to improve the relationship with Turkey provided that Turkey continues in its de-escalation efforts."

Turkey has strongly rejected accusations that it snubbed von der Leyen because of her gender after the protocol gaffe at the Turkish presidential palace.

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