Davutoglu: "We will distinguish between countries which stand firm against terrorism and those which do not"

Speaking at the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit in Istanbul yesterday, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called for European and world countries to stand in solidarity with Turkey against terrorism, adding that Ankara will distinguish between countries which do this and which do not. Referring to a roadside bomb attack by the terrorist PKK on a civilian bus transporting military personnel in Istanbul yesterday, which claimed the lives of four army officers and the daughter of another officer, and came as part of the terrorist group's escalating violence campaign in recent days, Davutoglu said, "Today is a day of test for everyone in our region, Europe and the world. We will treat differently countries which show solidarity with Turkey against terrorism, and those who neglect this solidarity." Turkey's stance towards countries will depend on their stance on this issue, he said. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside his Serbian and Bosnian counterparts afterwards, Davutoglu said Turkey expects the US to show concrete and not just verbal cooperation against terrorism. "When it comes to terror, we expect all our neighbors and countries that suffered from terrorism to stand in full solidarity with Turkey without regard for secondary concerns. They should effectively work with Turkey to eliminate terrorism." Pointing to the trilateral mechanism among Turkey, the US and Iraq to coordinate anti-terror efforts, Davutoglu said, "We established this mechanism for these rainy days. Turkey places great importance on the effective functioning of this mechanism." Turkey will continue its anti-terror efforts in cooperation with the parties of this mechanism, Davutoglu said, stressing the government's resolve to take all necessary measures to fight terror. In related news, in a statement yesterday, Massoud Barzani, the head of northern Iraqi regional administration, condemned a recent PKK attack that targeted a military border unit in Semdinli, Hakkari in southeastern Anatolia. "We're clearly expressing our stance on the latest PKK attack in Semdinli, and we harshly condemn this attack," the statement said. "It is clear that this attack doesn't serve the Kurdish cause but on the contrary, it blocks peaceful paths required for a solution." Stressing that his administration doesn't approve of its territory being used to launch attacks on neighboring countries, the statement also called for understanding and dialogue to stop bloodshed.