Minister Fidan: A national security threat to Turkey

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan evaluated the foreign policy agenda and answered questions during a television program he attended.

Touching upon the fight against terrorism in Iraq, Fidan stated, "Our desire is for our friends in Sulaymaniyah to turn back from their mistakes while there is still time, to cement their friendship with Turkey today just as it was in history, and for us to move together toward a common future."

"NO PLACE FOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS"

Fidan stated that they will build the "future together" in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Mosul, and that there is no place for terrorist organizations there, adding, "We must now cast these out of our system. These are organizations whose shelf life has expired. The cities and cultures I am talking about are ancient cultures, and they have overcome such threats before; hopefully, they will do so again in the future."

When asked whether further measures were on the agenda, Fidan replied as follows:

"As long as you support my enemy, what do you expect me to do? We are open about this. It is my duty to block the way for this enemy to take advantage of you. I will do this. While doing so, I am not setting traps or tricks for you; I am telling you to your face. Give this up, because it is not in your favor, nor is it in anyone's favor. The people in Sulaymaniyah are a people who are friends of Turkey. They are not a people who would have anything to do with a terrorist organization."

Minister Fidan said, "The relationship and intimacy of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leadership in Sulaymaniyah and the team that forms it with the PKK have gone beyond being a problem for us and have now become a national security threat."

Fidan stated, "Turkey is determined to use all its foreign policy tools in a coordinated manner to ensure stability in its region."