11/05/2013 President
Strasbourg, 11.05.2013 – Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), speaking on the eve of an official visit to Turkey, has strongly condemned the attacks in the town of Rehyanli, close to the Syrian border.
“The toll from this terrorist attack is heavy – more than 40 people are dead and around 100 injured, according to the latest information, and we do not know if this drama is over yet. I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and my support to all who are working on behalf of those affected.
I also express my support for the Turkish authorities, and in particular Foreign Affairs Minister Davutoglu, who has said that nobody will be able to sabotage peace in his country. The perpetrators of these explosions tried to spread panic and destabilise the region. They will not succeed.
Regional stability and the grave situation in Syria will be on the agenda during my talks with the Turkish authorities next week.”
The President will make an official visit to Turkey from 13 to 15 May, during which he is due to meet in particular the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly and the Foreign Minister.