Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, spoke to Turkish EU Minister Volkan Bozkir. He acknowledged the commitment of the Turkish authorities to stepping up the fight against ISIL and re-affirmed the EU’s strong support for these efforts. He confirmed also that the EU is looking into ways to further increase its support for the unprecedented humanitarian help offered by Turkey to the Syrian and Iraqi refugees, fleeing atrocities in their home countries.
At the same time, the Commissioner expressed the EU’s deep concern about recent developments which have a negative impact on the Kurdish-Turkish settlement process. The EU acknowledges that Turkey has the right to prevent and react to any form of terrorism, which must be unequivocally condemned. The response, however, must be proportionate,targeted and by no means endanger the democratic political dialogue in the country.
“We count on Turkey to live up to its important and strategic role for the whole region, by refraining from any action that could further destabilise the region.”
In a telephone conversation with HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş last Friday, the Commissioner stressed that all parties should re-commit to the peace process and work now on a broad and inclusive political solution. The ceasefire should be re-instated for the benefit of all Turkish citizens.
