EP attacks Turkey with PKK, FETO arguments: Erdogan

IZMIR, Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday slammed the EU parliament (EP), saying they attack Turkey with PKK and FETO terror groups' arguments.

"European Parliament is attacking Turkey with the arguments of the separatist terror organization [PKK] and FETO.

"Once they have the chance, believe me, they won't hesitate to hand this country to terror groups," Erdogan said during a campaign rally ahead of looming local elections.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU. In its terror campaign against Turkey for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Erdogan's remarks came after the EP's report which was passed this week urging the suspension of Turkey's EU accession process.

He said that the parliament's decision has no value and Turkey is ready if the EU will take such a decision.

"We are waiting for this decision of yours. Take it, we are ready, but they can't do it," the president said.

A total of 370 members of the EP voted in favor of the decision to suspend Turkey's EU negotiations while 109 voted against and 143 abstained from voting.

The non-binding advisory report drew reactions from Turkey.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.

But negotiations stalled in 2007 due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot administration on the divided island of Cyprus as well as opposition from Germany and France.

First joint rally with MHP

Separately, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) held the first joint rally on Sunday in the western province of Izmir -- just two weeks before the local elections slated for March 31.

The AK Party and MHP combined their forces for the elections as their unity was named People’s Alliance.

Their opponents are the Nation Alliance, which is a bloc including the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Good (IYI) Party.

Writing by Can Erozden