- Title: Turkish presidential spokesman rules out change in counter-terror law
- Date: 18th May 2016
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (MAY 18, 2016) (REUTERS) TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "Thanks to the measures we have taken in the past few days, we can say that there is a partial improvement. The threat coming from the Syrian side of the border once again proves that we were right to ask for establishment of safe zones but in the past ten days we took out the rocket installations and Daesh terrorists who fired rockets on Kilis with operations carried out by our own facilities as well as those coordinated with coalition air forces." REPORTER ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "Everybody should respect our counter-terror laws and the measures we take against terrorism. As a matter of fact, they should support us in our fight. Because Turkey's security means Europe's security. We have seen this clearly. Therefore, when these facts are ignored and recommendations are made based on assumptions or marginal opinions, we cannot consider them. We are carrying out a comprehensive fight against terrorism and it is out of question to make legal changes that would be in favour of terrorists and encourage supporters of terrorists." REPORTER ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, IBRAHIM KALIN, SAYING: "There is a sharp drop in illegal crossing as a result of Turkish coast guards' cooperation with Frontex and NATO. Five or six months ago, in October, nearly 6,000 people were attempting to cross to Greek Islands or Europe by illegal means. Today this figure has dropped to almost 10 - 20. As a result of this, there is a partial relief in Europe." KALIN LEAVING
- Embargoed: 2nd June 2016 12:59
- Keywords: Turkey Syria Islamic State cross-border rocket attacks military conflicts Europe migrants deal counter-terrorism laws
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
- City: ANKARA, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0014IC4H8N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Turkey's presidential spokesman on Wednesday (May 18) ruled out making changes to its counter-terror law demanded by the European Union, saying such a move would be encouraging terrorist organisations.
But Turkey was still doing everything it can to fulfil a deal reached between Turkey and EU and that there was no change in policy or attitude on the issue, Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman to President Tayyip Erdogan told a weekly news conference after a question on EU criteria for visa liberation.
Brussels wants Ankara to narrow its legal definition of terrorism and change some other laws to meet EU standards - as part of the wide-ranging deal to secure Turkish help in reducing the flow of migrants into Europe in return for visa-free travel to Turks to EU countries.
Kalin said the security situation in the Turkish border town of Kilis had improved partially in the recent days as a result of artillery shelling by the Turkish army and coalition air strikes, after months of rocket fire from Syria killed 21 people there so far this year.
Islamic State has repeatedly targeted Kilis, which hosts a large Syrian refugee population, since January, but no attacks have been reported in recent weeks.
Kalin also said there had been a sharp drop in illegal migration since October 2015 as a result of Turkish co-operation with Frontex and NATO forces. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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