Ankara urges Brussels to take action against terrorism rather than talk
Turkish President Erdoğan addressed the media before heading off Pakistan, and critiziced the EU's tolerant and supportive stance towards terrorist groups despite its promises to take action
Prior to an official visit to Pakistan and Uzbekistan from Nov. 16-18, in a bid to enhance Ankara's bilateral relations with the two countries, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed media members during a press conference on Wednesday as he criticized Germany's attitude toward terrorism. President Erdoğan commenting on a question regarding meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday said, "they [referring to Germany and the Western states] always make statements on counterterrorism. However we are no longer pleased by these statements as we want implementation." While Germany's all-inclusive, tolerant and supportive stance toward suspected perpetrators from Turkey who are wanted in connection to several terrorist organizations in Turkey, is drawing ire among Turks, Erdoğan said, "the more you continue to lax on this matter [counterterrorism], it will turn back to you like a boomerang the next day and hit Germany. I have no doubt in this." As Turkey had submitted more than 4,000 pending legal cases involving PKK terrorists in Germany, President Erdoğan had informed media members that the German parliament is only reviewing six legal cases."According to the information provided to us the German parliament is currently reviewing six legal files. However, one of the German delegation members who came yesterday told the foreign minister that there are 90 legal cases currently being reviewed. We then told them 'you are claiming 90 legal files but the matter with the six files is what is being discussed and finalized at the German parliament.' ... It is evident how negligent and lax they [Germany] are about the matter. If all these times you have behaved negligent, then tomorrow it will turn back to you like a boomerang and hit Germany. I have no doubt about that," Erdoğan added.Despite Steinmeier's strong efforts to dispel tensions by vehemently condemning terror and urging the PKK to lay down its arms, a recently published report on the Protection of the Constitution by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz) revealed that "the PKK continues to be the largest extremist organization affiliated with foreigners in Germany" and noted that this "is a permanent threat to Germany's national security." Under that premise, Erdoğan strongly criticized Germany as well as other Western allies noting that "Not only Germany but also the West currently harbor terror. We are able to see evidence of this at the European Parliament buildings, the Council of Europe building as well as the protests that the terrorists hold there. We also see the support they [terrorists] receive there." He continued by questioning the Western states' sincerity and trustworthiness.He continued by questioning the Western states' sincerity and trustworthiness as Erdoğan said, "I have shown [to the German delegation] the documents compiled by their own intelligence services that the terrorist organization [referring to the PKK] had collected 13 million euros during one year time in Germany. I know very well that the German revenue is very sensitive on such matters as they monitor very well how and where an association receives monetary funding … Now since all the facts are evident, I say let's be in solidarity against this terror organization [PKK] and stop aiding and harboring them." While Belgium is widely known for its 'tolerant' policy toward terror-affiliate groups, Turkey's president once more stressed that "France, Sweden, Belgium and Netherlands are also in this [harboring of terrorists] in fact Belgium is almost an important center for them [terrorists], not only for the PKK but also for FETÖ [Gülenist Terror Group]."Ahead of President Erdoğan's official visit after six years, the Pakistani government has told 108 teachers working in FETÖ schools to leave the country with their families by Nov. 20 as the decision covers the teachers working in 23 schools in the country as well as their families, which make a total of about 400 people. In that regard, Erdoğan welcomed the move from the Pakistani government and said, "it is an important response and move to deport all FETÖ members and their families from there [Pakistan] as it will be an exemplary move for all other countries." He had also affirmed that Turkey's Maarif Foundation is all set to take over the administration and control of the Gülenist PakTurk schools and colleges in Pakistan in coordination with the officials there. "Just like Turkey, Pakistan is carrying out a relentless combat against terror and Turkey supports Pakistan's combat until the end," Erdoğan added.Responding to the question regarding the Egyptian court striking down a death sentence and ordering a retrial of a decision by a lower tribunal against Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, who was overthrown after a military coup led by the incumbent leader Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in 2013, President Erdoğan said, "it is not a fair process for Mr. Morsi and his friends [in Egyptian prisons]. They are victims and are oppressed now. They should be released as soon as possible rather than making way for the retrial of Morsi and his friends."
Last Update: November 17, 2016 10:49