Brussels, 08/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 September, Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, called for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in Turkey, as the country sinks into violence.
“The EU is concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and the worsening of the general security situation”, she said, again condemning the terrorist attacks conducted by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). At least 14 police officers were killed in a PKK attack on Tuesday 8 September. The previous day, 16 soldiers were killed in another PKK attack. The Turkish army retaliated with a series of air strikes on PKK bases.
Kocijancic said that it was “important that the government and other leaders continue the peace process” with the Kurds - a process which started in autumn 2012. “Progress has been made over the last two years and this can't be wasted”, she said. “The Kurdish peace process is the opportunity to resolve a conflict that has claimed too many lives”, she added, stating that the EU was ready to support the process.
The conflict has claimed 40,000 lives since 1984. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)