Brussels, 22/10/2014 (Agence Europe) -During a debate on Wednesday 22 October, MEPs called on Turkey and the EU to do more to help the Syrian city of Kobane. MEPs believe that they have both had too low a profile in this affair. Although several MEPs welcomed Turkey's announcement that it would allow the Peshmerga to go through its territory to Syria, they also called for words to be turned into deeds. Charles Tannock (ECR, United Kingdom) asked whether this decision by Turkey had not come too late. Victor Bostinaru (S&D, Romania), said “it is important that Turkey demonstrates that it is prepared to cooperate with the EU and NATO. Its right to fight terrorism has been acknowledged but at the same time it is difficult to understand that it is not supporting the fighters in Kobane and it is difficult to justify this”.
Fernando Maura Barandiaran (ALDE, Spain) explained “we cannot simply criticise Turkey… We have been found wanting and we must respond. The EU must exercise more diplomatic pressure for Ankara to envisage relations with the north of Syria, close down IS's trade in hydrocarbons and take part in peace talks with the Kurds”. Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFA, Germany) said, “the EU must clearly tell the Turkish government that it has to do stop tolerating IS action”. Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE, France) stressed that, “there is an urgent need to respond and tell Turkey that its prevarication is inappropriate… we have to stop hesitating and help the Kurds against Daesch. We have to act quickly to avoid a second Mosul”.
Similarly to several of his colleagues, Maura called for a genuine Common Security and Defence Policy. Arnaud Danjean (EPP, France) asked why they could not envisage action at a European level, for example in the training of Kurdish fighters and called on the EU to use ESDP instruments “rather than place themselves in an ad hoc coalition” under US command. Tannock emphasised that they needed to do everything they could to support US efforts, crush IS and intervene to avoid another massacre at Kobane.
MEPs also discussed the situation in Hong Kong (EUROPE 11169) where pro-democracy demonstrations are continuing, as well as the death sentence imposed on Asia Bibi in Pakistan for blasphemy (EUROPE 11180). None of these debates are expected to be followed by a vote on resolutions on 23 October. (CG)