WASHINGTON
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan on Wednesday said, "The reason for the existence of terrorist PKK has begun to diminish. Whatever reason they may say for their existence is no longer valid, support is fading out and they are facing hardship in gathering people" in regards to the solution process.
Babacan was the guest of Charlie Rose on PBS channel of US television.
Babacan stated that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went under personal responsibility and lead the solution process and added, "Whatever reason they may say for their existence is no longer valid. The support they receive from the global arena and some regions of Turkey is fading out. People believe in making the necessary move by defending their own ideologies rather than shooting each other with guns in their hands. This is clear to both our people and the terrorist organization.
There are huge breakouts from the terrorist organizations in recent years, surrendering to Turkish forces. Whatever reason they may say for their existence is no longer valid, support is fading out and they are facing hardship in gathering people. Therefore, Erdogan's efforts for dialogue yields good results."
-Turkish economy-
Touching on the status of the Turkish economy, Babacan said that the global economic crisis had a slight impact on Turkish economy as Turkey strengthened its banking system and budget.
Babacan stated that Turkey diversified the regions and fields it conducted trade with, created employment and there was development in distribution of wealth.
-Turkey and the EU-
Upon being asked of Turkey-EU relations, Babacan said that the question of "When Turkey would be ready for the EU" was transformed into "When the EU would be ready for Turkey."
Babacan added that Turkey perceived the EU as a peace project and Turkey's contribution would make it into a global peace project.
-Syria-
Babacan stated that Turkey supported the establishment of a democratic system in Syria where all groups within are represented and added that Turkey worked in cooperation with the opposition forces in Syria and NATO and acted within the framework of international law.
Reminding that 190 thousand Syrians lived in the camps in Turkey and another 100 thousand in various cities, Babacan once again indicated the Syrian regime would leave sooner or later.
