Statement of Ömer Çelik, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, regarding the (PKK & PYD themed) Photo Exhibition at the European Parliament

Propaganda and exhibition of terrorist organizations, PKK & PYD, at the European Parliament (EP) under the patronage of some Members of European Parliament are not acceptable. An exhibition for propaganda of a terrorist organization is tantamount to providing space in the European Parliament to an organization committing crimes against humanity. European Parliament is supposed to defend universal values and it must be the institution where most determined and clear position against terrorism is exhibited. Opening of an exhibition for propaganda of terrorism is against not only universal values but also the values that EU represents.

There is no difference between opening of a PKK-PYD exhibition and making propaganda of DEASH. European Parliament should not allow such activities which make propoganda of terrorist organisations that brutally murder innocent people. We expect the European Parliament to take a determined position against such entities that are against EU's values. We see no difference between activities aiming for PKK-PYD propaganda and DEASH propaganda. We strongly condemn any propaganda of terrorism.