BUCHAREST, March 21 (A.A) - Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said on Thursday, ''Turkey is a state of law. We have been embracing our citizens of Kurdish origin.''
After wrapping up his contacts in Romanian capital Bucharest, Yucelen held a press conference at the Otopeni Airport together with Interior Minister Ioan Rus of Romania.
Speaking at the press conference, Yucelen said, ''I believe that my visit to Romania have made some positive contributions to relations between the two countries.''
Underlining importance of relations among Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria in regard to peace and stability in the region, Yucelen said, ''Turkish, Romanian and Bulgarian interior ministries will act together with the method of tripartite dialogue.''
Responding a question about terrorist organization PKK's activities in Romania, Yucelen said that terrorism could not have any language, religious belief, race or nationality.
''We have been trying to explain this fact to the world for the last two decades. However, the world understood it after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Germany, France and Britain have banned activities of terrorist organization PKK in their countries. The PKK has been in the United States' list of terrorist organizations for ten years. As you know, Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, was arrested. This organization caused killing of 35 thousand people. We have been embracing our citizens of Kurdish origin. If they want to seek rights, they should do it in the state of Republic of Turkey. Turkey is a state of law and everyone can seek their rights. Some associations acting in Romania, have been supporting PKK that was banned by Germany, France, Britain and the United States. I submitted some documents about these associations to my Romanian counterpart. I believe that they would take necessary measures. Those who wanted to hold a demonstration here, came from different countries. I did not meet with the mayor of Bucharest. If he had seen these documents, he would have not allowed such a demonstration. I want to thank Romanian government for banning the PKK's demonstration in Bucharest.''
Recalling that he had come together with Turkish businessmen acting in Romania during his visit, Yucelen told reporters, ''Turkish businessmen's investments in Romania have reached 500 million U.S. dollars. We plan to increase these investments. However, our businessmen are uneasy about some associations supporting terrorist organization PKK. If these associations continue their activities, our businessmen will have to review their investments in Romania.''
Meanwhile, Romanian Interior Minister Ioan Rus said in his part that Turkey and Romania would continue to act together.