ISTANBUL: Amid a spate of attacks in Europe by supporters of the terrorist group PKK, Trkiye on Wednesday called on European countries to crack down swiftly, saying it expects the countries in question to bring the attackers to justice.
Late Tuesday, PKK supporters attacked the entrance of the Turkish Consulate General Germany’s in Hannover. No one was killed or injured but there was damage to the building, which German security is obligated to protect as an official representation of Trkiye in the country.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “Following the attack, German officials were contacted and reminded that they are responsible for the security of our citizens and diplomatic missions, and that provocations against the Turkish community in Europe should not be tolerated.’
The ministry stressed: “The PKK terrorist organisation, now cornered, is intensifying its actions against the Turkish community in Europe. It is thanks to the common sense of our citizens that these provocations have
not led to more serious incidents.
“We expect the countries concerned to show zero tolerance for the actions of the terrorist organisation’s supporters and to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible,” it added.
Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic on Wednesday ‘strongly’ condemned the attack, adding: “We expect German authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice immediately, as per Vienna Conventions on diplomatic relations, and to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks.”
Kilic added on X that the recent spate of violence in several European nations showed again ‘the brutality’ of the terrorist PKK, which is also engaged in organized criminal activities throughout Europe, including drug smuggling.
‘While we will continue our fight against the PKK terrorism, we will also work closely with the EU and its member states to counter the criminal activities of the terrorist organization,’ he said.
The attack on the
consulate, which took place during a march of supporters of the PKK terror group, followed similar actions recently in Hamburg and Belgium, including attacks on Turks.
Trkiye to ‘closely’ follow process
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Ankara will “closely” follow the process led by Belgian and German authorities “to ensure the safety of our citizens’ lives and property and the punishment of the perpetrators.”
“These attacks, aimed at provoking our citizens and disrupting our unity, once again demonstrate that the PKK terrorist organization threatens social peace and public order in Western Europe,” Yilmaz wrote on X.
“We expect the relevant countries to prevent the actions of terrorist supporters and to promptly bring the aggressors to justice,” he added.
He also extended wishes for a speedy recovery to nationals injured in Belgium and condemned the attack.
European countries responsible for ‘ensuring safety’
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, also condemned the attack, stressing that Europe
an countries are “responsible for ensuring the safety and security” of the lives of those in the Turkish community and their property.
“We remind once again that the disrespectful and aggressive behavior of the foreign extensions of the terrorist organization, which strives to divide our nation, must be stopped by the leaders of European countries,” Kurtulmus wrote on X.
“The strong Turkish diaspora, which has maintained harmony with European societies while preserving its national identity for decades, cannot be divided by anyone,” he added.
After the attack in Hannover, Turkish diplomats met with authorities as well as Jurgen Schulz, Germany’s ambassador to Ankara.
In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Trkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Ankara, the US and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
Though officially outlawed in the European Union and individual member states, in practice the terrorist PKK has
been allowed to demonstrate, raise funds for its terror campaign, and threaten or attack locals in European countries.
Trkiye has long decried tolerance for the terror group and its supporters in Europe.
Source: Anadolu Agency