US adviser’s remarks on Turkey ‘unacceptable’

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dubbed the recent remarks of the U.S.’s national security adviser as “astonishing”, “baseless” and “unacceptable”.

Speaking at an event hosted by the British think tank Policy Exchange in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 12, H.R. McMaster said Turkey and Qatar are "main supporters" of "radicalism" and claimed Turkey's problems with the West were mainly due to the rise of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

The ministry said McMaster’s remarks were acknowledged with "sadness". It added McMaster, due to the position he holds, "must know better" to what extend Turkey combats terrorism and radicalism.

"National Security Adviser McMaster's baseless claims are far beyond reality, astonishing and unacceptable," said the statement.

The Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to stop supporting terrorist groups such as PKK/PYD.

The PKK/PYD, also known as the YPG, is the Syrian wing of the PKK and has received U.S. support in the form of Special Forces back-up, air power and military supplies.

The U.S. use of the PKK/PYD in Syria has been a longstanding complaint for Turkey, which has been subjected to a decades-long terror campaign by the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and the U.S.

“We expect the U.S. to provide more concrete and effective support to our country in its determined fight against terrorism and radicalism in accordance with our traditional alliance relations and international legitimacy," the statement added.