Arinc says Turkey follows developments in Syria closely

Speaking at a press conference after the cabinet meeting at the central building of Turkey's Prime Ministry in Ankara on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc referred to the head of the outlawed PKK organization, Ocalan's demand to hold a press meeting in prison, saying, "It does not seem possible to organize a press conference in prison based on current laws." Arinc said that for a prisoner to meet who and when are all based on procedures and law. "If MPs would like to meet him, then it goes through the permission of a justice minister. The procedure is obvious for immediate family members. 'Holding a press conference' is a wish of Ocalan and for that to be fulfilled, we need to follow procedures. It doesn't appear to be possible for a prisoner to have a press meeting with the press under the current laws," Arinc noted. Touching on the clashes between Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK and various opposition groups, Arinc said, "We continue following these developments closely. Unfortunately, on top of the regime's intense attacks on opposition is now attacks waged by some other groups," reminded Arinc. Recalling that Turkish and Syrian border towns were close to each other, Arinc underlined that a Turkish citizen lost his life after being hit by a bullet leaping from the Syrian side. "Turkey took all precautions in order to provide security to its citizens and for the border security and will continue taking precautions for those," Arinc said, adding, "Our government follows the incidents in north of Syria with a great sensitivity. Turkey won't accept any de facto activity against itself."