MADRID - Turkish State Ministers Abdullatif Sener and Besir Atalay stressed on Wednesday that countries should cooperate in fight against terrorism since terrorism was a crime of humanity.
Sener and Atalay represented Turkey in the state funeral held earlier in the day in the Spanish capital Madrid for the victims of the terrorist attacks staged in Madrid on March 11, 2004.
Two ministers told A.A correspondent that the atmosphere in the church where the funeral was held touched their heart.
Sener said, ''Turkey is one of the countries which have suffered much from terrorism. We came to Madrid to share sorrow of Spanish people and to show our sensitivity about terrorism.''
Underscoring that there was need for solidarity in countering terrorism, Sener said, ''most countries had decided to cooperate in fight against terrorism long before. But, the terrorist attacks in Spain increased this sensitivity and countries once more saw the need to cooperate in countering terrorism. And, this funeral was the proof of this sensitivity.''
Atalay, in his part, said, ''terrorist attacks in Spain have affected Europe very much. In fact, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to attend this funeral but I and Sener came to Madrid to represent our country since our prime minister has a busy schedule due to the local elections to be held on Sunday and due to the meeting he will attend in Brussels.''
Touching on the developments in countering terrorism in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Madrid, Atalay said, ''Turkey has many times announced that it is ready to make international cooperation with every country against every kind of terrorism and to do its best in this regard. We are still thinking and saying the same. Turkey is one of the countries which have suffered much from terrorism. Our country is situated in a very important place in this respect. Therefore, we don't have any hesitation in fight against terrorism. Our government is saying it frankly during its meetings with not only the United States but also European Union (EU) countries. We are ready to do our best.''
Asked if the terrorist attacks staged in Istanbul and Madrid would speed up Turkey's EU process, Atalay said, ''we can take active role in EU's policy to counter terrorism. And, we won't hesitate. These terrorist attacks should speed up Turkey's EU process. EU countries showed such reactions to the terrorist attacks in Istanbul. European politicians mostly said that they should make more cooperation with Turkey. EU's decision is critical for us. Turkey can contribute much to fight against terrorism. Therefore, we expect our determination to counter terrorism to affect decision of EU countries positively.''
Touching on the funeral, Atalay said, ''the funeral touched the hearts of all the participants. People who lost their lives in the attacks were all innocent people. Such a meeting of leaders has a symbolic result. All the leaders showed their determination in countering terrorism in this funeral.''
Sener and Atalay, who flew to the Spanish capital in the morning, later departed from Madrid.
Powerful explosions rocked three Madrid train stations earlier on Thursday just three days before Spain's general elections, killing 190 rush-hour commuters and wounding more than 1,800 in what officials called Spain's worst terrorist attack ever.
Two explosions had occurred in front of Neve Shalom Synagogue and Beth Israel Synagogue in Istanbul on November 15, 2003.
Twenty-five people died and 262 people were injured in the attacks which were staged by two pick-up trucks loaded with explosives on two synagogues.
Twin suicide attacks had been staged on HSBC Bank headquarters and British Consulate General in Istanbul on November 20, 2003.
Thirty-three people died, including British Consul General in Istanbul Roger Short, and 450 others were injured in the twin suicide attacks which were also staged by two pick-up trucks.
(BRC) 24.03.2004