Turkey urges more help in its fight against terrorism

ISTANBUL

Turkey hopes for more international support in the fight against terrorism, Turkey’s parliament speaker told a Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting in Istanbul.

"Turkey is continuing its fight with the PKK, PYD/YPG, Daesh, FETO [Fetullah Terror Organization], and all kinds of terrorist organizations without making a distinction between them. International cooperation in the fight against terror carries great importance. At the same time, it is also essential for mutual trust," said Ismail Kahraman.

He went on to say that all forms of terrorism must be opposed and countries must do their best to fight this plague.

"In this framework, I call on all of our friends to show solidarity with Turkey in its fight against terrorism," he added.

Kahraman said Turkey will continue its determined fight against all terrorist organizations.

Terror groups

Since 1984, an estimated 40,000 people in Turkey have died due to the terrorist campaign of the PKK, a group also designated terrorist by the U.S. and the EU.

Turkey also opposes the PYD/YPG, the PKK’s Syrian offshoot, which stands accused of attempted ethnic cleansing and other atrocities across Turkey’s border in Syria.

According to Turkey’s government, the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

At the meeting, Ukrainian Parliament Chairman Andrey Parubiy said that some regional projects have been delayed due to Russia's aggressive attitude.

Ukraine’s Black Sea territory of Crimea was annexed by Russia after an illegal independence vote in 2014.

The UN General Assembly later voted to proclaim the Russian action illegal.

Along with many UN member states, the U.S., EU and Turkey also do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

Parubiy said Russia's annexation of Crimea and its aggressive attitudes in other regions, unfortunately, decelerated the aims of the BSEC.

"The violation of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and also internationally recognized borders are unacceptable," Parubiy said.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s occupation of Crimea after an internationally unrecognized independence vote.

The UN General Assembly later voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Along with many UN member nations, the U.S., EU and Turkey also do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

The 49th Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation is hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Anadolu Agency is the "host photographer" of the event.