10th ANNIVERSARY OF 911 ATTACKS

In a written statement issued on the 10th anniversary of 11 September attacks, Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis indicated that terrorism was a common problem for all humanity and it had no language, religion or nation. Bagis made mention of Turkey's fight against PKK and continued as follows:

"The September 11 attacks showed that terrorism does not take into consideration any language, religion or nationality differences once more. Since terrorism is the common problem of all humanity, it constitutes a threat for everyone. Today, on the 10th anniversary of September 11 attacks, the fight against terrorism is still one of the most important agenda items with respect to the international relations and that is meaningful as it shows the extent of the threat of terrorism.

During a period when terrorism becomes a global problem, the globalisation of the fight against terrorism and cooperation becomes essential.

Turkey, as a country which has been carrying on its fight against the terrorist organization PKK for 40 years, is a pioneering country in cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was one of the first leaders who has reproached the September 11 attacks. Turkey was one of the countries which provided a great support to the British people following the attacks in London. And after the last terrorist attacks which took place in Norway, Turkish people shared the grief of Norwegian people in the same manner.

Thus, we never adopt an approach which says 'my terrorist is bad, your terrorist is good.' The mentality of "let sleeping dogs lie" is not ethical and we reject it at all.

Unfortunately, we observe with sadness that international cooperation with regards to the fight against terrorism has not given substantial results even ten years after September 11 attacks and such discriminatory approaches are still approved. It is sorrowful and worrying that no lessons have been taken from the September 11 attacks though it has been 10 years since then.

It is evident that, as a result of this insensitivity, terrorist organizations become bigger threats for humanity not only with their arms, but also with gradually widening dimensions.

For instance, PKK not only points its guns on innocent people in Turkey but it also spreads drug use among young people in Europe. So I would like to remind once again that the security of London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and even of Washington should start in Hakkâri. The countries which do not support Turkey in its fight against terrorism sufficiently but provide a safe port for this terrorist organization in their own territories should not forget that they are also the targets of the same problem.

In a world where even one single person is not safe, no one is safe. Thus, we should make an international cooperation in the fight against terrorism more effectively and take radical and simultaneous steps to eliminate the conditions which constitute the basis of terrorism as soon as possible in our fight against terrorism. As of today, the state of affairs is not good.

We reprobate terrorism once again on the 10th anniversary of September 11 attacks and we invite everybody to make a common cause the fight against terrorism. We commemorate all victims of terrorism".