Turkey and France on Oct. 7 signed a security agreement paving the way for joint security operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“The agreement will also open a door to technical cooperation as well as operational cooperation between the two countries, which allow Turkey and France to take a stance against terrorism and other types of crime, “Claude Gueant, interior minister of France, told reporters in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart İdris Naim Şahin.
“The agreement covers cooperation on domestic security, fighting against terrorism, cross-border crime, illicit drug trafficking and financial crimes,” Şahin said. Gendarmerie and police departments in Turkey and France have good relations, and pursuing a common stance together against every type of crime, particularly terrorism, will be beneficial to both countries, he said.
Gueant said French President Nicholas Sarkozy Sarkozy attached great importance to the agreement.
France will also continue to support Turkey in the fight against the PKK, Gueant said, pointing out that 38 PKK militants were arrested in France in 2010 and another 32 have been arrested so far this year. Ten of them are jailed in France, he said.
Asked about jailed PKK members held in France being returned to Turkey, the French minister said judicial authorities would decide the matter, adding that Turkey and France have prepared return files together.
A Paris court recently tried 18 people, including top members of the PKK in Europe. The prosecutor’s office demanded prison terms ranging from six months to six years for the suspects. The court will make its decision on the case on Nov. 2.
via France, Turkey sign security agreement for cooperation – Hurriyet Daily News.
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