Turkey's Fight Against Terrorism For The Good Of All - Minister

From Abdul Muin Majid ANKARA, July 14 (Bernama) -- There is a need for the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) to be on the same page with Turkey in fighting the terrorism scourge, according to a Turkish minister. Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya (picture), who is Family and Social Policies Minister, said Turkey's fight against terrorism was important not only for her country but for Europe and beyond as well. "It's time for European countries to accompany Turkey in the fight against terrorism. We should unite and cooperate against terrorism," she told a group of local and international journalists here. The Turkish government has pointed an accusing finger at the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (Feto) and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen in the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. The power grab was thwarted when ordinary Turks mounted a resistance against the plotters of the coup that occurred mainly here and in Istanbul. The government had stated that it was Fethullah Gulen's disciples in the armed forces who had waged a campaign of terror on the night of July 15 and that his role in it deserved everyone's attention. Turkey has repeatedly called for Gulen to be extradited back to his home country to face trial. Besides Feto, Turkey is also fighting against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants and Daesh, both viewed by Ankara as terror groups. Betul Sayan Kaya was also critical of the western media over what she said was a prejudiced manner in which they reported on human rights and democracy in Turkey. The minister took issue with efforts by detractors to smear President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reputation as a leader to the extent of labelling him as a dictator. "The president has always been one with our nation, he has wisdom, bravery and has guided our nation in the right way," Betul Sayan Kaya said. The minister said the attempted coup showed how civilians in Turkey were ready to defend democracy and that it had opened a new chapter in the country's political arena. Ministers and senior government officials have been tasked with engaging with international media in the framework of a series of events lined up by the Turkish government to mark the first anniversary of the coup attempt. Members of international media are being hosted in Ankara by Turkey's Directorate General of Press and Information. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA