Tangible results expected from Turkish government talks with PKK

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — MEPs voiced strong support on Wednesday for the Turkish government’s talks with former Kurdistan Workers’ Party chief Abdullah Öcalan, aiming to put an end to decades of violence in Turkey. An in-depth dialogue could bring about a lasting change in Turkey’s relations with its Kurdish minority, MEPs stressed in the debate.

These talks are historic in that they are backed by civil society and the opposition, acknowledged MEPs. Many urged the PKK, which the EU lists as a terrorist organisation, to lay down its arms.

MEPs also called on the Turkish authorities to do more to enforce constitutional protection for the Kurdish minority and its rights, particularly as regards language and education. Many highlighted Turkey’s poor human rights record and urged that anti-terrorist legislation should be interpreted and applied more fairly.

MEPs also strongly condemned the murder of three Kurdish militants in Paris in January.

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