SILK ROAD 2009 ENDED

Chief of General Staff General İlker Başbuğ said it is a mistake to believe that terrorism can be eliminated solely through social and cultural measures while terrorists still hold their weapons.

Kategori	: POLITICS
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Tarih	: 23.06.2009

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Chief of General Staff General İlker Başbuğ said it is a mistake to believe that terrorism can be eliminated solely through social and cultural measures while terrorists still hold their weapons.

General Başbuğ addressed the 10th Silk Road General/Admiral Seminar in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Reiterating that Turkey has been countering the terrorist organization PKK for 25 years, General Başbuğ said the target in Turkey’s combat against terrorism is to attain success against terrorists and their supporters. It is a long term fight and the problem can only be solved when terrorists lay down arms, Başbuğ added.

The Chief of General Staff urged a combination of security, economic, social and cultural steps, as well as the coordinated initiatives in international arena to tackle terrorists.

Military representatives from the EU, NATO and UN member countries participate in the two-day long 10th Silk Road General/Admiral Seminar. The theme of this year's seminar is cooperation with NATO and partners in the 60th year.

Deputy Chief of General Staff Hasan Iğsız said that Turkey will carry on attending NATO-led operations as it did in the past.

Speaking at the closing of the two-day Silk Road 2009 General-Admiral Seminar which started in Istanbul on Monday, General Hasan Iğsız said that understanding of global security had changed in recent years.

General Iğsız noted that the world faces problems such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, diminishing energy resources and return of piracy.

Underlining the need for more effective cooperation against such activities targeting the world security, the General also said that Turkey will continue to join in the operations. He also added that Turkey supports NATO’s open door policy for new members.