Fight against terrorism dominates National Security Council meeting

ANKARA – Anatolia News Agency

The National Security Council (MGK) which saw the participation of top civilian and military officials held its regular bi-monthly meeting Feb. 26. AA photo

The National Security Council (MGK) held its regular bi-monthly meeting Feb. 26, just three days after a delegation from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) made a critical visit to İmralı island for talks with the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as part as an ongoing peace process between the government and the PKK.

Although there was no comment made directly on the talks with the PKK during the MGK’s meeting, which was presided over by President Abdullah Gül and saw the participation of top civilian and military officials, the nation’s fight against terrorism and security operations planned for the coming months dominated the five-and-a-half hour assembly, according to an official statement.

“While our fight against terrorism continues with determination, [the council] has discussed measures that could be taken to ensure our people’s security and peace,” the statement read.

The meeting convened as a potential PKK ceasefire and retreat by militants were said to be on the agenda of the peace process.
 
The Syrian civil war and the continuous flow of refugees into Turkey were also among important discussion points at the meeting. Civil and military leaders in the MGK also examined the latest situation in Iraq and North Africa, according to the official statement.