BERLIN
Turkey has told Germany that it is still interested in a political process to end the conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said.
Steinmeier’s remark comes despite recent Turkish counter-terrorism operations amid escalating violence.
Speaking on Monday, Steinmeier extended support to Turkey’s recent anti-terror operations but said that he had raised Berlin’s concerns for the future of the ‘solution process’ with the PKK in a telephone conversation with his Turkish opposite number Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday.
“During my phone call with my counterpart yesterday, I expressed my understanding for Turkey’s decision to take steps against those who are responsible for the terrible terrorist attacks of recent days,” Steinmeier said.
“At the same time, I emphasized that the peace process so painstakingly established with the Kurds must not be derailed now -- this would only make an already-complex situation more difficult,” he stressed.
“In the course of our conversation, the Turkish foreign minister assured me that the Turkish government has a vested interest in pursuing the peace process. We will remain in close contact with Turkey on this issue, and also with regard to our joint efforts in the fight against ISIS [Daesh],” he added.
Turkish warplanes have been hitting PKK and Daesh targets abroad for the last three days in response to bomb and gun attacks on Turkish citizens and security forces.
Security forces have detained over 800 people in three days of raids throughout Turkey.
It is feared the new wave of tension could threaten what is known in Turkey as the ‘solution process’, during which the PKK declared a cease-fire in 2013.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.
German Interior Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate said on Monday that police and intelligence agencies had stepped up measures against possible violence from PKK militants in Germany.
“The PKK has been outlawed in Germany since 1993, and currently they have around 14,000 members in the country,” Plate said at a press conference in Berlin.
“Due to recent developments, federal and state security authorities are paying increased attention to the group,” he said.
Germany is home to around 700,000 Kurdish immigrants. Since 2004, German courts have convicted more than 4,500 PKK suspects for various crimes. The PKK is believed to use various associations in Germany for fundraising and recruiting new members.
