Various perception operations and black propaganda methods are being conducted in Europe almost every day against Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The media outlets in some EU countries, particularly Germany and the U.K., are endeavoring to deceive the public by penning lies about Turkey.

Turkey has been pursuing an increasingly independent and national foreign policy, which apparently disturbs some groups.

Despite all the obnoxious attacks and smear campaigns, Erdoğan has preserved his determined stance without making any concessions and keeps contributing to Turkey's bright future. The abovementioned groups are getting even more ill-tempered in the face of this determination.

But all their efforts are in vain.

Erdoğan and other authorities in Turkey are observing all these efforts with smiles on their faces. Turkish citizens do not give any credence to the heinous aspersions cast on Turkey. Neither do they care about the treason of some people who are of Turkish origin for their own interests nor the threatening statements of some EU countries' officials.

Turkey is determinedly maintaining its progress and the rest of the story does not matter.

A proverb inherited from our respectable ancestors, who ruled the world after originating from Central Asia, says "the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on," and our caravans have never stopped.

This is the exact context Turkey is currently in. A prime minister of an EU country said Turkey would join the EU in the year 3000. Another prime minister said they would leave the EU if Turkey joins it. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said that they would not negotiate the visa liberalization issue with Ankara unless Turkey decreases its attacks on the outlawed PKK. For the 970th time, European Parliament issued the decision that Turkey cannot join the EU and kicked off efforts to reward PKK supporters. These factors do not affect the Turkish authorities or citizens any longer. Regardless of the concerns about joining the EU, Turkey is taking firm steps toward evolving into a more democratic, social and powerful country. No one in Turkey grieves when the EU does not take a positive step on Turkey. If Turkey joins the EU, this would favor both parties. But if the membership process is hampered due to a mistake by the EU, Turkey will still be in a position to create its own alternatives, and this position is becoming increasingly solidified.

While some EU countries have allowed the PKK to set up propaganda tents and allow the PKK's Syrian affiliate, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), to open offices in their capitals, and host PKK spokesmen at European Parliament as guests, Turkey is successfully fighting against all terrorist groups including DAESH, the PYD and the PKK. Lately, Fehman Hüseyin, also known as "Bahoz Erdal,"one of the main leaders of PKK's armed People's Defense Forces (HPG) responsible for thousands of casualties, was killed. As part of Turkey's successful counterterrorism fight in recent months, thousands of militants have been rendered ineffective thanks to the Turkish military, which is the world's most experienced in terms of the counterterrorism fight.

Since media outlets in the EU do not properly inform the public on this matter, I would also like to emphasize that the PKK is a mafia active in drug and human trafficking. Turkey has confiscated and destroyed PKK cannabis fields whose crops yielded thousands of tons of drugs. Turkey also put an end to the PKK's human trafficking activities in Syria and Iraq. Considering that the PKK uses its income from drug and human trafficking to purchase materials used in terrorist assaults, Turkey is exterminating the life sources of the PKK one by one.

In a nutshell, while some EU countries flirt with the PKK and while European Parliament often hosts PKK supporters as guests, Turkey has not stepped back and successfully maintains its counterterrorism fight. Some groups in the EU made false calculations and observed Turkey's problems with Israel and Russia with pleasure. They welcomed Turkey's diplomatic strain with Russia and Israel as developments undermining Turkey and wished for those crises to sharpen. They left Turkey alone against Russia even though Turkey was right to shoot down the jet.

But now they are watching Turkey's diplomatic achievements with surprise. The anti-Turkey groups are getting depressed as Turkey gradually resolves its problems with Israel, and even the Palestinians are able to breathe more easily thanks to Turkey's successful diplomatic steps. The re-establishment of relations with Russia after positive talks has almost shocked them.

Nevertheless, this is only the beginning. The next goal is to re-establish relations with Egypt. Those who think that Turkey is alone in the region and surrounded only by foes are mistaken.

Turkey is sure to continue surprising everyone. Those who regard the Cyprus issue as a difficult obstacle for Turkey will also be surprised.

Turkey maintains its determined progress step by step.

During the latest NATO summit, the counterterrorism fight and the EU and NATO's need for Turkey in the region was voiced once again. This need is getting more urgent each day. For NATO, there is no other alternative to Turkey.

I recommend that Daily Sabah readers in the EU and at European Parliament keep watching Turkey and to ensure they do not lose Turkey if they really prize the interests of the EU. Otherwise, they will be the losing party.