European Parliament's Jerzy Buzek urges PKK to dissolve itself

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has called on the terrorist PKK to dissolve itself, saying the group should end its decades-old violent campaign just like Spain's separatist ETA did in October.   "I hope that the end of all of the complicated situations will be like in Spain. The PKK should end all attacks as ETA did," Buzek said in an interview with Today's Zaman ahead of a visit to Turkey on Thursday. The Polish politician also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Turkish government to make sure human rights and minority rights are protected. Buzek, who leaves his post on Jan. 17, praised Turkey's economic achievements, saying that crisis-hit EU countries "envy" the Turkish economy's impressive growth rates and that the Turkish economy was an "example" for Europe. In the interview, Buzek also discussed Turkey-European Union relations, which came to a standstill because of a blockade in membership negotiations. The former prime minister of Poland said Turkey and the EU needed each other not only in economic and trade areas but also for stability in Southeast Europe and the Middle East. "Our relations are not the best nowadays," he said. "But this is why it is also important for me to be in Turkey." "We can say that we need each other. The EU certainly needs Turkey not only for economy and trade, but also for stability and security in the eastern and southern parts of Europe and in the Middle East. So our relations are very important. And I believe Turkey needs Europe for the same reasons. It is important for both sides to have closer cooperation," said Buzek. Buzek, who will address a session of the Parliament in Ankara on Thursday, hopes to find ways to revive Turkey's stalled EU membership process, focusing particularly on the Cyprus stalemate, during his talks with Turkish officials. In 2006, the EU suspended membership negotiations with Turkey on eight chapters due to Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus, an EU member since 2004. Highlighting his country's support for Turkish membership and his personal links with Turkey, Buzek said one can call his visit as a "friend" coming to Turkey. Ahead of his visit, Buzek also praised Turkey's active foreign policy in its region.