French foreign minister congratulates CHP head for ‘justice march’

ANKARA

French Foreign Minister Jean Yves le Drian has congratulated Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for his “justice march” from the capital Ankara to Istanbul.

Le Drian and Kılıçdaroğlu held a meeting at the latter’s office at parliament on Sept. 15, attended by CHP Deputy Chair Öztürk Yılmaz. 

Answering reporters’ questions, Yılmaz said the two spoke about Turkey-EU relations and the state of emergency rule in Turkey. 

He added that Le Drian congratulated Kılıçdaroğlu for the 450-kilometer “justice march” he initiated from Ankara to Istanbul in June and July. 

Kılıçdaroğlu walked from Ankara to Istanbul over the course of 25 days in protest at the current state of justice in Turkey. The march was completed with a grand rally in Istanbul on July 9, at which Kılıçdaroğlu vowed to carry the “justice struggle” further.  

Previously, U.K. Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore also congratulated Kılıçdaroğlu for the march on Aug. 14, saying the protest had stirred interest in the international arena.