Council of Europe warned about 'anti-Turkish agenda'

By Hatice Ozdemir

ANKARA (AA) - The deputy speaker of Turkey’s parliament on Wednesday accused the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of “almost being taken hostage” by people with an anti-Turkish agenda.

Ahmet Aydin also suggested Turkey was being singled out for unfair criticism.

"We believe it is not good intentions to ask that Turkey be discussed as a hot topic and to work on reports regarding the functioning of [the country's] democratic institutions," he said.

His remarks came as he received PACE rapporteur Jordi Xucla in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Turkey is in close contact with the council and pays attention to its reports, Aydin said.

However, he said Turkey had received "severe criticism based on groundless claims" during PACE meetings.

"What we expect of the Council of Europe is that it does not [cause] Turkish people to lose belief in Europe due to unreasonable criticism which [supports] terrorism.

“Rather, the Council of Europe should support the Turkish people's commitment to democracy and the steps on this," he added.

Aydin stressed Turkey's determination to move forward on democratization "with its parliament, government and people" and to maintain good relations with PACE.

Xucla, whose visit came eight months after the deadly 15 July 2016 coup attempt, expressed solidarity with Turkey in its fight for democracy.