EU Commission Head Calls for Proportionality in Turkey’s Anti-PKK Action

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker asked Turkey for proportionality in all actions against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker asked Turkish authorities to be balanced in fighting the country's banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), EU Commission representative Mina Andreeva told reporters Tuesday.

Over the weekend, Juncker held a phone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to discuss an Ankara-initiated campaign against terrorism. The EU Commission expressed support for Turkey’s efforts in the fight against international terrorism, in particular the actions taken against the Islamic State militants, the official representative said.

“He [President Juncker] also stressed the need for proportionality in all actions against the PKK,” Andreeva said in the press briefing.

In recent weeks, Turkey saw a surge in violence, including a suicide bombing in the Turkish border town of Suruc that killed 32 people and injured over 100, and the killings of two police officers in the southern city of Ceylanpinar.

The Suruc suicide bomber was reportedly affiliated with ISIL, whereas the PKK claimed responsibility for the Ceylanpinar attack.

On Friday, Turkey launched a campaign against the PKK in northern Iraq and IS jihadists in Syria. The strikes reportedly involved F-16 fighters, as well as tanks and artillery.