Vol. 488 No. 2
105 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the communications, if any, his Department has had from or with the Kurdistan Information Network in Dublin; if so, if he will provide the details of the communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5997/98]
The Department of Foreign Affairs has received requests from time to time from the Kurdistan Information Network regarding the Irish Government's position on the situation in south-east Turkey.
Ireland's position on this issue is well known. The protection and implementation of human rights in Turkey is a matter of concern, in particular as they affect the Kurdish population of south-east Turkey. This issue has been regularly raised both by Ireland and its EU partners in political and official contacts with the Turkish authorities. We have consistently made clear to Turkey that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with due respect for human rights and the rule of law. We have also indicated that the Union upholds the territorial integrity of Turkey and condemns terrorism.
The longstanding conflict in Turkey has resulted in the deaths of more than 20,000 people over the last two decades and has brought great hardship to the people in the region. Ireland along with its European partners, has conveyed to the Turkish authorities its view that a political solution should be found which will finally end this conflict. We continue to urge this approach.
This position was conveyed most recently to the Kurdistan Information Network in December last year.
