Turkey accuses EU of supporting Kurdish rebelsDecember 12, 2007 - 12:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's military command has accused certain EU countries, in particular France and the U.K., of acting in a way that supports Kurdish militants. Turkey, a NATO member with European Union membership aspirations, has long sought to put an end to attacks from northern Iraq carried out by militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "The position of and actions by a number of EU countries, including our allies, enable the terrorist organization [PKK] to look for new bases for operations," said Gen. Ergin Saygun, deputy chief of the Turkish General Staff. He said that although the EU had recently taken "encouraging steps in standing up to the PKK," the group's representatives and sympathizers "are conducting propaganda campaigns in the European parliament, as well as in the French and U.K. parliaments." "Providing support to separatists, including in activities such as these, is tantamount to sharing responsibility with the terrorists for material damages caused to Turkey, and for the deaths of people in its fight against terrorism." On November 30, Turkey's government authorized the military to conduct a cross-border operation against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, following parliament's approval in mid-October. The country has deployed about 100,000 troops on the border with Iraq, according to army sources. The PKK, labeled by the U.S., NATO and the EU as a terrorist organization, has been fighting for autonomy status in southeast Turkey for nearly 25 years. The conflict has so far claimed about 40,000 lives, RIA Novosti reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |