ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday met civil society representatives to explain the government’s approach to the recent violence engulfing Turkey.
"In last 13 years, we have always aimed to unite against stereotyping and separation efforts," Davutoglu said.
In the last two weeks Turkey has seen dozens of security forces members killed in shootings and bombings while the military targets Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist group members, including airstrikes on bases in northern Iraq.
Meeting members of 44 groups from Turkey’s southeast, Davutoglu claimed that the two-year “solution process” to end the conflict with the PKK - listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and U.S. - had been damaged by those opposed to “brotherhood and national unity”.
Among those attending the meeting at Cankaya Palace in capital Ankara were representatives of the Free Thought and Education Rights Association and the Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People.
The representatives called for the PKK to lay down their arms or leave Turkey.
Academic Veysel Yenigul, who stood for Davutoglu’s Justice and Development (AK) Party in the June 7 election, told Anadolu Agency: “We have seen that the government is in favor of peace in this process.”
