Turkey determined in fight against terror: PM Yildirim

By Enes Kaplan

ANKARA (AA) - Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has reiterated Turkey's determination in fight against terror organizations.

Speaking after iftar (Ramadan fast-breaking dinner) with the Justice and Development (AK) Party's executive board members in Ankara on Friday, Yildirim was referring to the EU's demand of a change in Ankara's legislation on terrorism in exchange for visa liberalization for Turkish citizens.

"There is nothing more important than Turkey's unity, togetherness, and territorial integrity," he said.

No deal or EU's visa exemption can change our determination in the fight against terrorism, he added.

Turkey and the EU signed a refugee deal on March 18, which aims to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The deal also allows for the acceleration of Turkey’s EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on the condition that Ankara meets 72 requirements set by the EU.

Although Turkey fulfilled most of the criteria last month, differences between Brussels and Ankara on anti-terror legislation have forestalled the visa-liberalization deal.

* Anadolu Agency Correspondent Fatma Bulbul contributed to this report from Istanbul.