EU ‘should do more’ against PKK terror group: Turkey

BRUSSELS

Turkey's deputy foreign minister on Monday called on the EU to do "more" than just designating the PKK as a terror group.

Speaking at the opening speech of Turkey EU 38th joint consultative committee, Faruk Kaymakci, who is also the country’s director for European Union affairs, commented on Ankara's accession to EU and terror groups PKK and Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO).

Stressing that Turkey and the EU's cooperation in combatting terrorism should not be limited to Daesh only, he said: "We should increase cooperation against the PKK."

"Despite the PKK is included in the EU list of terror groups, it is able to carry out campaigns in several EU countries, recruit people and make money. The EU should do more than just declaring the PKK as a terrorist organization," Kaymakci added.

Speaking about the FETO terror group, the deputy foreign minister said: "FETO is not like Daesh or the PKK, it has a different style. FETO is a new generation terrorist structure and an illegal criminal network. Our measures are in line with conventions and agreements".

Turkey's accession to

Kaymakci stressed that the EU decision to suspend accession negotiations with Turkey was a "huge mistake".

"A wrong message is being sent to Turkey [...] I don't think the EU institutions wanted to deliver that message," he added.

He went on to say that the of the Customs Union has been politically blocked, adding that topic would soon be handled once the European Parliament (EP) elections were concluded in late May and reform process in Turkey was revived.

"Free visas and the of the Customs Union is a 'win-win' strategy," he said.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas