Deputy premier says, Turkey follows developments in Syria closely

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc held a press conference after the cabinet meeting at the central building of Turkey's Prime Ministry in Ankara on Monday evening.

Upon a reminder of a reporter about pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) delegation heading to Imrali island where terrorist head Ocalan stays and meeting him, and all media reports about the issue, Arinc said, "For a prisoner to meet who and when is all based on procedures and law. If MPs would like to meet him, then it goes through the permission of a justice minister. The procedure is obvious for immediate family members. 'Holding a press conference' is a wish of Ocalan and for that to be fuilfilled, we need to follow procedures. It doesn't appear to be possible for a prisoner to have a press meeting with the press under the current laws."

- "Turkish government follows the incidents in north of Syria with a great sensitivity"

Arinc touched onto the clashes between Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK and various opposition groups, and reminded that the control of Ras al-Ayn, a border town was taken by PYD. "We continue tracking these development closely. Unfortunately, on top of the regime's intense attacks on opposition is now attacks waged by some other groups," reminded Arinc.

Arinc also reminded that Turkish and Syrian border towns were close to each other and highlighted, a Turkish citizen lost his life after being hit by a bullet leaping from the Syrian side. "Turkey took all precautions in order to provide security to its citizens and for the border security and will continue taking precautions for those," said deputy premier. Arinc also said, "Our government follows the incidents in north of Syria with a great sensitivity. Turkey won't accept any de facto activity against itself."

- Turkey will work to progress and open chapters during Lirthuania's EU term presidency

Arinc mentioned that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis presented information in regards to Turkey's EU membership process and said, "As you know it, Lithuania assumed the rotating presidency of the EU as of July 1. Visit to the country has been completed. It was said that in this period of time, some progress would be recorded in regards to Turkey's full EU membership and opening of some chapters. Some decision were already taken about it last month."

- Highways will be free of charge during Ramadan feast

Moreover, Arinc emphasized, "Cabinet meeting may not gather before the Ramadan feast, so I wanted to give good news" and added, "It was accepted at the cabinet meeting that 'from the first day of the Ramadan feast, August 8, Thursday, from 00:00 until August 11, Sunday 24:00 Turkish local time' all highways will be free of charge and all public transport services run by municipalities will be either free of charge or discounted."

englishnews@aa.com.tr