Seyit Ahmet Aytaç,Faruk Zorlu
15 January 2018•Update: 15 January 2018
By Faruk Zorlu
ANKARA
Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu on Monday condemned the U.S. for its cooperation with terrorist organizations.
Speaking at an event organized by Turkey's Directorate General of Press and Information in capital Ankara, Cavusoglu said: "We condemn the U.S. statement on cooperation with terrorist organizations; to support the YPG is to support terrorist organizations.”
The PYD/YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist network, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years. Turkey considers the PKK, PYD, and YPG as one and the same.
The deputy premier was addressing a panel titled "U.S.' Jerusalem Decision in the eyes of International Press Members".
About Jerusalem, Cavusoglu said: “Our civilization values and spreads fraternity rather than cruelty against humankind. We, as Turkey, will keep on defending and spreading what’s right and just as our civilization rises. We displayed this stance with determination on Jerusalem.
"As our president always says, the world is bigger than five. We experience many times that the world is bigger than five.
“There is no historical, political, geographical or social reality behind the U.S. decision to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The joint reaction given by the international community has revealed this fact once again.
"The fire started in 1917 with the Balfour Declaration in the region. Even today, we are experiencing great many problems because of Balfour. I wish, the most ancient city of the world has peace and there will be no bloodshed anymore.”
Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey Faed Mustafa said: "Recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the U.S. reflects betrayal of our memory and we see Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, forever.
“We cannot even imagine the existence of Palestine without Jerusalem in any circumstances.
"All statements and contributions to Jerusalem and Palestine made by President Erdogan and Prime Minister Yildirim are praiseworthy.”
