WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM BDP DEPUTIES IS TO CONDEMN PKK

In response to the questions of the journalists during a live programme on TV, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that what the people expected from the BDP deputies was “to condemn the terrorism and PKK, the terrorist organisation”.Minister Bagis participated in the program “Temsilciler Meclisi” on Bugün TV and answered the questions about the agenda. Upon a question about the summary of proceedings prepared for lifting the immunity of the BDP deputies, Minister Bagis stated that not only the Turkish people, but also the Europeans, which he often met, had expectations from the BDP deputies and continued his words as, “If they are the deputies of this nation, they should have a stance against terrorism like all the other citizens of this country. Let them condemn terrorism. Let them condemn PKK, the terrorist organisation. Then, all discussions will be taken off the agenda.”

Emphasizing that the European countries were tired of this discussion and they gave to the BDP the message that it should distance itself from the terrorism, Minister Bagis said “Some circles, who are recently making increasingly different statements on this issue, are announcing that they do not consider BDP deputies as the addressees on this matter. Some so-called leaders in Europe say “This issue has three aspects, namely that of the mountains, that of Imrali and ourselves. They consider the BDP deputies to be wall flowers.”

Minister Bagis, said “First you have been elected as deputies of the Turkish Grand National Assembly of the Turkish Republic and are financially supported by the state, and then you greet and embrace those who fire their guns against this state. This hurts the conscience of the people” and stated that if the BDP condemns the terrorism, the tension of the people will decrease.

Minister Bagis indicated that he criticized the Europeans for allowing the PKK members to move freely in some European countries and added:

“There are PKK members who have been tried in courts in Europe, sentenced and are in prison in various EU Member States. When we request the extradition of these persons, unfortunately we are confronted with technical problems. Either the case files are found to be insufficient or the translation is inadequate, or a document is missing. However, our documents or translations are found to be flawless whenever we request the extradition of a common criminal. We experience no problems for these extraditions. There is a political approach to this particular issue.”

Reminding that there were countries who adopted the approach, “Let sleeping dogs lie”, Minister Bagis underlined that recently there were changes in the stance of many countries, such as Germany, Netherlands, and Denmark.

Minister Bagis said, “Recently the Europeans have started to understand that the PKK is not only a terrorist organization; in fact, it is a network of crime and illegal income. Drugs and human trafficking are also among the activities of PKK. It also harms the European youth through drugs trafficking. This issue has started to have severe effects in Europe.”