EU condemns PKK and its ending "cease-fire"

The European Union this week again condemned the PKK, saying it "deeply regrets" the terrorist group's decision to end its so-called cease-fire. Natasha Butler, spokeswoman for EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, said Turkey's southeast needs peace, democracy and stability. "We deeply regret the decision apparently announced by the PKK to end its unilateral 'non-action' period," said a Commission statement. "We strongly condemn terrorism and understand Turkey's concerns about the need to fight terrorism. The PKK is on the EU list of terrorist organizations. ... The Southeast of Turkey needs peace, democracy and stability as well as social, economic and cultural development. This can only be achieved via consensus over concrete measures expanding the social, economic and cultural rights of the people living in the region. The Commission strongly encourages the Turkish authorities to reinvigorate the process of consultation they started in 2009 and translate the consultation into concrete measures."