“We don’t find the close cooperation of France with the YPG, a group no different from the PKK, appropriate. We observe that this has reflections on many of our issues, including cooperation within NATO,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian on June 13.

Le Drian paid a one-day trip to the Turkish capital to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. The two ministers held a joint press conference after the meeting.

Cavusoglu said his government appreciated France for taking measures against the PKK in the country, including freezing the assets of alleged supporters of the PKK. Recalling that the YPG is no different from the PKK. Cavusoglu stated, “It’s not convenient for France to engage in a close cooperation with the YPG while at the same time it takes measures against the PKK.”

The Turkish minister said the YPG was also a threat to the security of Turkey and its borders. Apart from the YPG issue, Turkey and France are on the same page on Syria and are working together for a political transition process.

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