Top EU diplomat calls HDP leader, condemns PKK terror


The top diplomat of the 28-bloc EU called pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş and condemned the PKK's terrorist attacks and reiterated her call for the continuation of the reconciliation process.

"Just called @hdpdemirtas, condemning PKK terrorist acts: keep working for the peace process," the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, tweeted in her official account on Sunday.

She also conducted a phone call with the foreign minister of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on Saturday. The high representative offered EU condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the victims in Suruç and of other recent attacks against police and military officers. She reaffirmed support for Turkey's efforts to step up attacks on ISIS and to fight against any form of terrorism.

At the same time, Mogherini underlined the fundamental importance of keeping the reconciliation process alive and on track. "Terrorist groups must not spoil the process, and the ceasefire must be preserved. Any action taken should avoid the risk of endangering the ceasefire and the Kurdish peace process that remains the best opportunity in a generation to solve a conflict that has claimed far too many lives. The Turkish government has shown in recent years courage, firm intention and wisdom in bringing forward a political process that is the only means of reaching a stable solution to the conflict, for the sake of all the Turkish people. The EU will keep supporting the government on this path," said a statement released by Mogherini.