Turkey's Erdogan urges EU to take responsibility for refugees

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday urged developed countries, notably those in Europe, to be more sensitive to the immigration crisis.

"The Western countries especially in Europe have turned a cold shoulder to the human crisis in regard to migrants. It is not only the three-year-old kid but also the humanity that is drowning in the Mediterranean," Erdogan said while addressing the opening ceremony of the Business 20, or B20 Summit, in the capital Ankara on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the body of a three-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish beach, which provoked anger about the inaction of developed countries in helping refugees.

"Some European countries classify immigrants according to qualifications, but that is not humane," Erdogan said. "I call on the whole world to be responsible and the global media should be responsible."

In his address, Erdogan also said the Mediterranean has now become the route for refugees who risk their lives to enter Europe.

He also stressed Turkey's role in providing shelter to refugees. "We accept about two million refugees from Syria and spend 7.5 billion U.S. dollars on caring for them. We do not look at ethnic background or level of education."

The B20 Summit is an important business meeting that aims to give advice on global economy to G20 leaders who will meet in Antalya, Turkey in mid-November. Endit