Ambassadors of EU states condemn terror against Turkey

The ambassadors of the European Union states to Ankara condemned the terror attacks against Turkey yesterday, saying they side by Ankara against the attacks on the country.

EU ambassadors, led by the head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Turkey, Christian Berger, are in Turkey's southern Adana province between Dec. 8-10 for an event hosted by Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik to discuss the recent developments and relations between the two sides.

The delegation of 25 member states also visited the Adana Municipality where they met with Mayor Hüseyin Sözlü. Speaking during the visit to the municipality, Berger expressed sorrow over the recent terror attack on the governorate building, as well as the fire at the student dormitory where a dozen had lost their lives.

The ambassadors of the EU member states started their day in Adana by visiting the governorate, where they held a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the Nov. 24 terror attack.

Commenting on the July 15 coup attempt, Berger said Turkey's criticism of the EU over being left alone is understandable and continued, "However, I assure you that the EU has always been on Turkey's side." Berger also added that Turkey and the EU should cooperate against terror.

The head of the delegate also expressed appreciation to Turkey for the country's humanitarian efforts on the refugee crisis.

The EU Minister Çelik also hosted a dinner for the ambassadors in Adana yesterday evening.

The European Parliament adopted a temporary motion in late November, urging member-states to freeze Turkey's accession to the bloc. Although nonbinding and despite the fact that EU states are for the most part, against halting the drawn-out accession process, the vote threatens to deepen the rift between Ankara and the EU, nonetheless.