Turkish deputy speaker meets Albania's committee head

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

Turkish parliament’s Deputy Speaker Mustafa Sentop called on Albania to recognize PKK-affiliated PYD and YPG as terror groups.

"It deeply upsets us that Albania has not joined our NATO allies, which recognize PYD/YPG as terror groups," said Mustafa Sentop in his meeting with Mimi Kodheli, head of Albanian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, on Wednesday.

"We are expecting Albania to show concrete solidarity with us," he said.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children.

The PYD/YPG are Syrian branches of the terrorist PKK and the focus of Turkey's successful counter-terrorist Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, near the border with Turkey.