French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday French, British and German leaders will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan again early n
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday French, British and German leaders will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan again early next year to discuss Syria, Libya and other issues.
“I’m very happy that we had a very useful meeting yesterday with British Prime Minister, Chancellor [Angela] Merkel and President Erdoğan,” Macron told a news conference after the NATO leaders’ summit in London.
The meeting, which helped clarify various issues, also “allowed us … to reaffirm our priority in fighting [Daesh/ISIS], and our common commitment to the refugee issue and a political solution to the Syrian conflict,” the French leader said, in remarks translated into English.
Trump says Turkey doing a ‘good job’ in northern Syria
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised Turkey’s commitment to a deal with the U.S. on northern Syria, and praised Ankara’s efforts for security and refugees in the region.Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London, Trump said that earlier today he had a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.“It was a very good meeting,” he said, adding that they discussed many issues, including the latest developments in Syria.“We’re getting along very well. The border and the safe zone is working out very well… and I give a lot of credit to Turkey for that. The cease-fire is holding very much,” Trump stressed.EU Commission aims at honest conversations with TurkeyTurkey urged to lead fight against all discriminationHe defended his decision in October to pull out U.S. troops from northern Syria, saying Turkey’s efforts in the region earned “great respect” from many people.“They’ve been doing a job. And they’ve been doing a good job also on the border and in the safe zone,” he stressed.Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from the area, to secure the border region, and facilitate the safe return of Syrian refugees.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismAnkara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so the safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.Turkey’s military operation drew sharp criticism from the Pentagon, which had long supported the terrorist YPG/PKK group in the fight against Daesh in the region. Turkey had long criticized the U.S. military involvement in northern Syria and its support for the SDF, which is controlled by the YPG terrorist group.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpErdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism
Turkey urged to lead fight against all discrimination
Turkey as a Muslim state must be at the forefront of the global fight against every kind of discrimination, prejudice and racism, not only for the sake of Muslims, but for all mankind, the founder and CEO of a prominent U.K.-based research and advisory group said Wednesday.Speaking at an event where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met representatives of the Turkish and Muslim communities in the U.K., Anas Altikriti said “the plight of many Muslim societies, communities and minorities living under a state of oppression, discrimination, occupation and subjugation around the world is unacceptable.”Altikriti said many campaigns in the U.K. work to lift those conditions, and Turkey is notable for its support for many of those cases and its efforts in standing by the Palestinians, Syrians, Libyans, Yemenis, Rohingya, Kashmiris, Uyghurs, and countless others are recognized and deeply appreciated beyond the nations of Muslims.“However, much more needs to be done, particularly in upholding the values of human rights, democracy, freedom and justice, and with Turkey’s ascendency on the global stage of economic, manufacturing and industrial success come the responsibilities which you are undoubtedly well aware of.”PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMMacron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’- IslamophobiaA recent initiative by President Erdoğan to advocate and promote true Islam around the world could not have come at a better time, Altikriti said.He reminded those attending the event that Erdoğan had recently announced a new initiative to advocate and promote true Islam around the world, “the Islam which the overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world understand and exhibit every single day of their lives.”Altikriti praised the timing of the initiative, pointing out the proximity of the event’s venue to the location of a recent terrorist attack in London.“We are gathered here right now only a few steps away from London Bridge, where a terrorist attack took place only a few days ago, and from which we as a Muslim community and a British society are challenged to emerge stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of the values that govern both our faith as well as our human collective.“If anything, the messages sent by the families of the two victims as well as the family of the culprit show that we are indeed on course to achieving that,” he said.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorismTurkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London“Islamophobia is an issue which ravages and challenges our society today.“Both on the rhetorical as well as on the physical levels, callous acts, incidents and crimes driven by the ignorance and hatred of Islam and Muslims are at record levels. While figures and heroes of the British Muslim community continue to fight the manifestations of this disease within our political and media structures, the rise and expansion of extremist rhetoric on both sides of the spectrum poses an existential danger to the safety, security and future prospects of all of society.”Pointing out that Islamophobia is a disease that travels as fast as the fastest broadband internet and satellite connection and that it recognizes no borders, Altikriti also said that many Islamophobes in the U.K. find inspiration in extremists across the borders in Europe, North America and elsewhere and vice versa.“This year’s massacre of 51 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand is but one tragic example. Moreover, Islamophobia today finds footing within Muslim states and regimes and their exertions are often used as cover and justification for the racists and extremists around the world.”Altikriti also said in his speech that British Muslims lead in campaigns, platforms, groups associations and organizations which collectively represent and indeed enact Islam in all facets of British life.“They together present the pure form of Islam and exhibit the sublime humane values which our faith ordains in an attempt to make a better, more prosperous, more caring and more responsible Britain. Their contributions are recognized, and not a single corner of British life operates without the input of Muslims,” he said.“You are an inspiration to many, and Turkey under your leadership has gained countless friends from around the world,” Altikriti told Erdoğan.“We pray for you and we pray for Turkey.”
Erdoğan on Tuesday met Macron and Merkel, alongside host Johnson at the residence of the prime minister at 10 Downing Street.
The leaders discussed latest developments in Syria and exchanged views on Turkey’s operation targeting YPG/PKK terrorist in northern Syria.
The meeting “started a very useful dialogue and clarified certain misunderstandings with Turkey,” Macron said.
However, the French leader reiterated his opposition to classifying PKK terrorist Syrian offshoot YPG as a terror group.
“We’re combatting the PKK and those groups that are fighting against Turkey directly. But we’re not equating these different political and military groups to each other. So, we disagree on this. And that has not been changed,” said Macron.
PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PM
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday the terrorist threat from the PKK to Turkey was recognized during a quartet meeting with Turkish, French and German leaders.Speaking at a press conference following the NATO summit in London, Johnson said he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a “good” meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Tuesday.“We discussed the great complexity of the situation in northern Syria,” Johnson said.Turkey urged to lead fight against all discriminationTrump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismJohnson said they “clearly recognized the huge pressure Turkey faces” from 4 million refugees it is accommodating and “the terrorist threat from the PKK.”“That must be acknowledged a real threat that Turkey faces,” the premier urged.Johnson said Turkey’s plans in northern Syria must be understood and “we must avoid any misunderstandings between allies within NATO.”“We have agreed to continue to those talks,” he added.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpUS senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsTurkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned Syria safe zone.Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’
NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorism
All NATO members are committed to fight terrorism, NATO’s secretary general said on Wednesday.“All Allies remain committed to the fight against ISIS and our training mission in Iraq and the training mission in Afghanistan,” Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference after the NATO leaders’ summit in London.He reiterated that an attack on any member state will be seen as an attack on all members.“We stand together, all for one, and one for all. Our commitment to Article 5, the collective defense clause of our alliance, is ironclad,” said Stoltenberg.The meeting also discussed Russia and issues related to arms control, said the NATO chief.“We are committed to strong deterrence and defense, while remaining open to meaningful dialogue with Russia,” he said.“NATO is responding to Russia’s deployment of intermediate-range, nuclear capable missiles in a defensive and coordinated way. And we remain committed to strengthening effective arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation,” he added.EU Commission aims at honest conversations with TurkeyTurkey urged to lead fight against all discrimination-China, Afghanistan, S-400sStoltenberg said that the alliance also discussed the rise of China for the first time.“Leaders agreed we need to address this together as an Alliance. And that we must find ways to encourage China to participate in arms control arrangements,” he said.He also said that the Alliance closely follows and supports peace talks in Afghanistan.”We believe that we need political negotiation, a solution in Afghanistan,” he added.On Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, the NATO chief said that the S-400 will not be integrated into NATO systems and will “stand alone.””That’s a natural Turkish decision. Many allies have expressed concerns, I also expressed my concerns about the consequences of that decision,” Stoltenberg said. “What I can say is that a Russian air defense system S-400 will never be integrated into NATO.”Trump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMIn April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defense system from the U.S. proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 shield.Opposing deployment of the Russian system, U.S. officials claimed that they would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose its F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.Turkey, however, stressed that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems, and poses no threat to the alliance or its armaments.-Baltics, terrorist YPG/PKKA defense plan for the Baltics have been adopted, but proposals to designate the YPG/PKK group as terrorist were not discussed extensively, said Stoltenberg.”Today we have agreed to the updated plan for the Baltic countries and Poland. So I welcome that. And it shows that we are able to also move forward and update and revise plans, including the defense plans, for the Baltic countries and Poland as we do today,” he said.”It’s well known that there are different views among NATO allies on how to designate YPG and PYD, the Kurdish groups in Syria that’s publicly known. It was not addressed specifically in the meeting today, but it is an issue which has been discussed, among NATO allies, and it’s widely known that there are different views on that,” he added.”But we all agree on the importance of not jeopardizing the gains we made in the fight against terrorism,” he emphasized.‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpUS senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsNATO leaders have decided to meet again in 2021,” said Stoltenberg.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.Reluctant to back NATO defense plans for Poland and the Baltics ahead of the summit, Turkey took issue with the alliance’s failure to recognize the threat it faces in northern Syria from the YPG/PKK terror group along its southern border.”NATO must act in a way that will meet the concerns of all allies. What is wanted for the Baltics should be wanted for us too,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week.Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’
However, he added: “When … certain groups do have terrorist intentions on Turkish soil against the Turkish country, [for us] there’s no ambiguity about the fact that we will fight against those groups,” he added.
Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned Syria safe zone.
Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters comments
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron for his “cavalier” remarks on European Deash/ISIS fighters.”Very disturbed by the cavalier remarks made by President Macron about how the number of European ISIS fighters in Syria is a small problem in the grand scheme of things,” Graham said on Twitter.Graham’s rebuke came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Macron over the repatriation of Daesh/ISIS terror group fighters currently held in northeastern Syria.Trump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMSpeaking to reporters during a NATO leaders summit in London, Trump criticized Europe’s reluctance to take back its nationals, saying foreign fighters detained in Syria “are mostly from Europe.”He then turned to Macron and asked if the French president would “like some nice ISIS fighters?””I can give them to you. You can take every one you want,” Trump said before Macron quickly rebuffed the U.S. president, saying “let’s be serious.””A very large number of fighters you have on the ground are fighters coming from Syria, Iraq and the region,” Macron said. “It’s true that you have foreign fighters coming from Europe, but this is a tiny minority of the overall problem that you have in the region.”NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismMacron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’Graham said there are hundreds of European Daesh fighters imprisoned in Syria and said the Paris and Nice attacks in France were carried out by “a handful of ISIS fighters.”In 2015, a coordinated armed attack took place in Paris, killing 130 people and wounding 368 others. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.In Nice, a French-Tunisian man drove a truck into crowds celebrating France’s National Day in Nice in 2016, killing 84 people.”President Trump is right to insist Europeans come up with a legal system based on the reality we are fighting a war — not a crime,” said Graham.”It is time for NATO to look at a detention system to deal with enemy combatants rather than using the traditional criminal justice system (which is ill-equipped to fight a war.),” he added.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’Turkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London
Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism
Turkey’s president on Wednesday condemned those who use the word ‘Islam’ as an adjective to describe terrorism.“Islam is a religion of peace,” Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during an event at a venue in east London organized by the AK Party’s UK branch presidency where he and First Lady Emine Erdogan met representatives of the Turkish community following a NATO summit in London.Underlining that racism, discrimination, anti-Semitism and hostility towards Islam have recently increased in Europe, Erdoğan said far-right movements are mostly targeting Muslims and the Turkish community.“The last European Parliament elections have once again demonstrated that identity politics is becoming increasingly dominant in Europe,” he said, adding the media and some politicians have deepened these prejudices with their irresponsible statements.PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismErdoğan also touched on Turkey’s fight against terrorism.“Those who think they can discipline Turkey with terrorism and blackmail are embarrassed after failing to achieve their target.”He added that Turkey is “independent in its foreign policy” and does not seek approval of operations for its own security.Turkey will not leave the Operation Peace Spring area in northern Syria until it is cleared of terrorists, he underscored.Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsIn its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Erdoğan also underlined that Turkey currently hosts more than four million Syrians who took refuge within its borders.Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed and millions more displaced by the conflict.He also criticized the EU for failing to fulfill its pledge to financially support Turkey for refugees it hosts.On bilateral relations between Turkey and the U.K., Erdoğan said the deep-rooted cooperation between the two countries is developing day by day and is getting stronger by acquiring new dimensions.He stressed that the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and the U.K. reached $18.6 billion in 2018.‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’Turkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London
‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’
Multiple threats Turkey faces from international terrorist groups should be considered threats against NATO as well, the country’s communications director reiterated early Thursday following a NATO summit in London.“We must be on the same page about something as simple as identifying a terror organization,” Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.Altun stressed that some of Turkey’s allies have supported, promoted and legitimized the PKK/YPG terror group, which recruits children, conducts ethnic cleansing and forces the migration of civilians.Altun underlined that the PKK/YPG must be treated for what they are: a “murderous terrorist organization” and a “threat to regional and international security.”PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismPraising Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Altun said that close to 400,000 Syrians have returned to their country thanks to Operation Peace Spring.“Our military operations are not only about fighting terrorists but establishing the conditions for the safe return of Syrians and ensuring stability in the region,” he said.Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsAnkara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Altun also underlined that NATO needs a strategy to address the “increasingly complex challenges of our time.”“We often find issues of terrorism, refugees, regional strategy all wrapped up together to pose security threats to our alliance,” Altun said, adding this reality must be recognized for a stronger alliance.Altun also shared data about Turkey’s NATO defense spending.Turkey’s defense spending has reached 1.89% of its GDP with a 53% increase over the past five years, according to data he shared.“We’ll reach 2% by 2024 as was agreed in Wales Summit,” Altun said.He also stressed that Turkey has 1,200 service members participating in various NATO missions.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorismTurkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London