PKK should lay down arms, leave Turkey, PM saysJanuary 11, 2013 - 14:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The aim of ongoing talks with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is to convince the group’s militants to lay down their arms and abandon Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, according to Hurriyet Daily News. “Our sincerity can be seen in the steps that we have taken in the last few days. Our aim is to have the separatist terrorist organization’s cadres leave Turkey. [We want to make them] lay down their arms and leave,” Erdoğan said during a joint press conference with Nigerien Prime Minister Mahamadou Issoufou in reference to the talks between Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, and the government. Erdoğan also accused the PKK of committing “provocations” by attacking a military station in the eastern province of Hakkari on Jan. 8. “During such peace initiatives, the [PKK] has always showed the [worst behavior] possible. We will continue our operations. But we have said that ‘we can negotiate with the political arm of the terrorist organization.’ And we are at the same point today,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency. In a bid to end the four-decade-old Kurdish question and disarm the PKK, the Turkish government dispatched National Intelligence Agency (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan last month for talks on İmralı island, where Öcalan is serving a life sentence. Öcalan was later allowed to meet with two prominent Kurdish politicians. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |