Some EU countries are quite experienced on the matter of terrorism. For instance, England has gained a great deal of counterterrorism experience due to the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Spain has also fought against the outlawed ETA, which is still present, and has been for years. Germany has maintained a rough struggle against the Red Army Faction (RAF) and it is still possible to come across news reports on the RAF militants that have not been apprehended yet. Italy, on the other hand, had an uphill battle against not only terrorist groups, but also the mafia that cooperated with these groups. Some of these stories were even adapted to the silver screen. Meanwhile, Greece has not yet vanquished the communist terrorist groups in the country and France had to grapple against Corsican terrorists for a long time.

On top of that, al-Qaida and Daesh have posed a great threat to the EU and the Daesh threat is still ongoing. All these terrorist groups have caused bloodshed in various EU countries countless times. Many people have died due to assaults by the IRA, ETA and RAF.

England, Spain, Germany and Italy succeeded in their counterterror fight thanks to their strict methods. Had the English, Irish, Spanish, German or Italian people not denounced the terrorists, security units would not have had any chance of success.

For instance, Germany employed all kinds of propaganda methods to encourage citizens to inform on RAF militants. The state rightfully called all on citizens to unite in the fight against terrorism. The RAF was eradicated thanks to the denunciation of citizens. And I am sure no one in Germany would consider it problematic if some of the missing RAF members were denounced today. Likewise, vigorous efforts are exerted in France, Belgium and Germany for the denunciation of Daesh militants, which is the right move.

States of law need the cooperation of citizens while fighting against terrorism. Citizens can cooperate by conveying the required information to security forces.

Then why are they still insisting on casting aspersions on Turkey?

EU countries, particularly Germany, never articulated that Turkey is not a state of law. Turkey, who went through an atrocious coup attempt organized by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) on July 15, 2016, is rightfully fighting against FETÖ as a state of law. Turkish citizens are naturally cooperating with the state in the fight against FETÖ along with the fight against the outlawed PKK.

What can be more natural than Turkish citizens' denunciation of FETÖ militants? This is a civic duty.

There is a considerable German population in Turkey's southern city of Alanya. If the German citizens in Alanya detected some fugitives affiliated with the RAF, the first thing they would do is inform the German police or representatives of their country. This is quite usual. What would Germany and the German public think if Turkey accused the Germans of espionage in such a situation? The apprehension of missing RAF militants would be a positive step for humanity.

Can the right thing for Germany be wrong for Turkey?

Analogous with what the RAF means to Germany, FETÖ poses a danger to Turkey that is far greater than the threat the RAF poses to Germany. No matter where they live, it is a civic duty for all the Turkish citizens to inform the police on wanted terrorists.

It must be kept in mind that citizens must cooperate with the state in the fight against terrorism.

EU countries, especially Germany, should view the issue through this lens. If we are sincere in our belief that all terrorist groups must be fought, then we must support the responsible acts of citizens instead of criticizing them for some ambiguous motives.