BAGIS'S STATEMENT ON FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Sending a written statement on fight against terrorism to the international media, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis condemned the terrorist attack in Cukurca, Hakkari.

In his statement Bagis said the following:

"We are deeply saddened by the recent terrorist attack committed in the Cukurca district of Hakkari on the 17th of August, 2011. Our nation stands in solidarity against this nefarious attack. Immediate response of our Government shows that terrorists will fail to achieve their goals.

To end terrorism, we need active cooperation and support from our European partners. The EU cannot hold aloof from trouble of terror that Turkey has been facing. This is our common problem, just as how the Norway mass murder, 9/11, London and Madrid attacks saddened all of us.

Terror has no morality, no limit, and no border. For the security of Paris or Berlin we should end terrorism in Hakkari. Therefore, we have to be in close collaboration with our European allies to fight against terrorism and particularly to eradicate its finance. Allowing broadcasts of terrorist propaganda, while claiming to be allies under the NATO umbrella is a great contradiction and not compatible with the values we stand for.

Both the EU Member States and our other European allies should understand Turkey's sensitivity on this issue, underlined by Prime Minister Erdogan recently. Everyone should know that Turkish people are united like a single fist, a single voice and a single heart against terrorism. We expect our European allies to join us."