Brussels, 22/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 20 September, the European Union, welcomed the release of the hostages taken at the Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq, and called for the release of all hostages held by the Islamic State. In a press release, the Spokesman for Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, asserted, “we are pleased to learn that the 49 Turkish hostages taken on June 11 by ISIL in Mosul inside the premises of the Turkish consulate have been released and are able to be reunited with their families”. The spokesman explained that their thoughts are also with all other hostages who remain captive and that “they should also be released without delay”.
The European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle, said that he was “relieved to hear that the Turkish hostages in Iraq are safe and sound in Turkey”. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the hostages were released on 20 September following “diplomatic negotiations” and no ransom had been paid.
Ashton's spokesman pointed out that the international coalition was committed to “ridding the region of the scourge of ISIL. Turkey is a vital partner in this endeavour and an essential focus for our dialogue”. So far, Turkey has refused to actively participate in the international coalition and has not authorised the United States to use its air bases to deliver air strikes against the Islamic State. Turkey explained that this refusal was due to the risks this would have created for the hostages and that it could change its position now that they were free. Erdogan explained: “we said we could not play a role in the coalition but we can develop a roadmap after the intensive negotiations with members of the coalition”.
Islamic State militants have also called on Muslims to kill citizens in countries that are part of the international coalition (see other article). (CG)