Turkey says will act if Syrian Kurdish militia don't retreat
- by Kristina Cox
- in World Media
- — Mar 29, 2018
Turkey will take initiative should terrorist PKK-linked People's Protection Units (YPG) not leave Syria's Manbij, a statement released upon the meeting of National Security Council (MGK) reiterated late Wednesday.
"I hope that we have left a tough period in the relations between Turkey and Europe behind us", Erdogan said and voiced hope that "a first step was taken here toward restoring trust with Europe".
Erdogan said he told the European Union leaders that it was "necessary to complete their work at once" on the issue. "We are dedicated to continue our dialogue in hard circumstances".
Juncker said the summit was one of "mixed feelings but not mixed messages", adding: "It was a good meeting because as this is the normal principle between big democracies, we were able to talk in all frankness and openness". The goal of the meeting was to mend relations between Turkey and the EU. The EU also stands ready to assist.
The main points of discussion were cooperation in energy, security, the fight against terrorism, migration management and the EU's assistance for refugees in Turkey, where European Union and Turkey share strategic interests.
Turkey will continue to provide medical support to the region, he added. But we are concerned that some of the methods used undermine fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in Turkey.
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It would be a grave mistake for Europe, which claims to be a global force, to push Turkey out of its expansion policy.
Mr Putin is due to arrive in Turkey next week for a two-day visit that will also include a three-way summit on Syria with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani aimed at strengthening cooperation.
Turkish President Tayipp Erdogan said Turkey would do "what is necessary" if the Iraqi operation failed. He added that Turkey meant to continue with its operations as long as necessary.
We now expect strong support [from Europe] on sensitive issues such as the fight against terrorism instead of rambling and unjust criticism.
The arrest of the soldiers has strained bilateral ties between Ankara and Athens, who are already at loggerheads over the exploration of gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.
Erdogan pressed his European leaders to grant Turkish citizens visa liberalization to allow them to travel to certain European countries without visa restrictions.
