European Parliament calls on Turkey to respect international law

Speaking at the opening of the European Parliament plenary meeting held in Strasbourg, EP President Roberta Metsola said that Turkey's air strikes against Northern Syria and Kurdistan Region of Iraq cost more lives and bloodshed.

Metsola called on the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint and respect for international law and standards.

Earlier many other deputies from the European Parliament denounced Turkey’s offensive.

“The Turkish attacks on Kobane and other Kurdish cities in Northeastern Syria and Northern Iraq is not only a clear violation of international law, but also a destabilizing of safe areas hosting millions of people and a weakening of the fight against ISIS and terror,” said Nikolaj Villumsen, Member of the European Parliament representing The Red-Green Alliance and Vice-chair of the Left in the European Parliament.

Ana Miranda, Member of the European Parliament for the EFA Group said “If the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS is against this illegal war, then its members must immediately take strong steps through economic, political, diplomatic, and legal measures to force Turkey to comply with international law.”

Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance and Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee said: “I am extremely worried about this development. As I recently said during the hearing in the European Parliament, no security concerns justify human rights and international law violations. I hope for restraint and adherence to international law.”