Speaking at a meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) Thursday, committee joint chairman Yasar Yakis said “We have not received enough support from EU member countries when dealing with terrorism”.
Yakis said that while respecting Iraq’s territorial integrity, Turkey had the right to protect itself from acts of terrorism carried out by the terrorist group the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq. The presence of the PKK in the region was tolerated by other parties, he said.
“The United States does not allocate troops to fight against terrorism, claiming that it is unable to do so,” said Yakis. “On the other hand, Turkey has not relinquished its right to self defence. The motion authorizing the government to send troops across border is still on the table. A cross-border operation will not be launched before all diplomatic measures are exhausted. The terrorist PKK organisation collects money and make propagandas in European capitals. Some of those who are wanted with red-bulletin are arrested, and some are sent to Iraq.”
In his address to the meeting, Gunduz Aktan, a parliamentary deputy for Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said that Turkey has the legal right to intervene to protect its citizens against terrorist organizations.
“Turkey may launch a cross-border operation at any time,” he said. “A political solution is not possible in the PKK case. Please don’t suggest this.
Only personal and cultural rights can be granted. Apart from this, no political right can be granted.”
