Turkey-EU Counter Terrorism Dialogue

In the framework of their regular exchanges on counter-terrorism, Turkey and the European Union held the Turkey-EU Counter-Terrorism (CT) Dialogue in Brussels on 8 June 2016. Terrorism poses a direct threat to our countries and our citizens. The EU and Turkey recognised the importance of the need to work together closely as key partners and strategic allies to counter these threats to our security and peace.

Both sides strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in the European Union and in Turkey and reaffirmed their determination to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in accordance with international law, in particular international human rights law and international refugee law.
The EU and Turkey reiterated their commitment to urgently step up efforts to tackle the threat posed by Da’esh and to stem the flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters.

The EU recognised that Turkey faces a grave threat from PKK terrorism. The EU and Turkey also reiterated their determination to work closely to counter the terrorist threat from the PKK which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU.

Both sides agreed to explore ways of enhancing collaboration on information sharing, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including cooperation in the field of terrorism related deportations and the financing of terrorism. Following on from the successful visit to Ankara by the EU Radicalisation Awareness Network on 31 May, it was agreed to step up cooperation to prevent radicalisation and recruitment and to address the root causes of these problems.

The EU also welcomed the deployment of a Turkish liaison officer to Europol and agreed to build upon the cooperation established with CEPOL and Europol, possibly extending to CT cooperation in training and exchanges of best practices and personnel.

Turkey and the EU will work together to drive forward international efforts in forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) and the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL/Da’esh.

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