US policy change on PKK/PYD, FETÖ would improve relations: Turkish PM

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said that Turkey is hopeful for the improvement of bilateral relations of Ankara and Washington, adding Turkey has three prerequisites to strengthen ties.

“The U.S. should extradite the leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), Fetullah Gülen, immediately stop supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party affiliated Democratic Union Party (PKK/PYD) and conduct a perception management for the harms of the July 15 coup bid that targeted the democratically-elected government of Turkey," said PM Yıldırım, on Thursday during his interview with the representatives of numerous Turkish newspapers.

PM Yıldırım expressed his expectations from the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that he is hopeful about his possible policy in the Middle East.

“I believe the U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq will change radically and believe that Washington and Turkey will cooperate more for the security of the region," he said.

“The signs of the possible change in U.S. policy is the intention of the U.S. to support the initiative of Turkey, Russia and Iran in Syria," he added.

The Middle East policy is important for Turkey which says its territorial integrity and security is linked to the security of the region.

Due to the importance of the matter, Turkey is backing Free Syrian Army (FSA) opposition fighters in Syria against all terrorist elements, particularly Daesh, but Ankara expects the U.S. to support Turkey against the terrorist groups in Syria and start treating PKK/PYD as a terrorist organization and stop using PKK/PYD against Daesh.

The U.S and Turkey could contribute to the Middle East more, as the U.S. was also invited to Syrian talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana, which was declared after the ceasefire across Syria was brokered by Russia and Turkey that concluded with the evacuation of trapped civilians and fighters in the war-torn country.

Binali Yıldırım, who also touched upon Turkey's internal security, said that terrorist organizations, such as FETÖ and PKK, have been attempting to harm the Turkish economy, by trying to create an instability perception about Turkey.

“They won't be successful, as the Turkish economy is strong enough to deal with the temporary economic fluctuations," said Yıldırım, attributing to the rise of the U.S. dollar compared to the Turkish lira which has triggered volatility in the Turkish economy, especially after the U.S. presidential election was won by Donald Trump.

Yıldırım's remark on economy and Turkey's fight against terrorism is similar to the words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who recalled Turkey's determinism to fight terrorism and strengthen the Turkish economy, as he stressed that Turkey is strong enough to deal with all the terrorist elements that target the integrity, peace and economy of Turkey.

"While we are witnessing an extraordinary term, we should put all our efforts into countering terrorism and not let these parties harm the Turkish economy," previously said Erdoğan.

Turkey's Yıldırım said the constitutional change process is fluent and will not cause any social conflict.

“We have been making the 19th constitutional change. Despite the possible contrary campaign of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP); the process is going along as it should, despite trivial incidents," he explained.

Turkey's Parliament, on Thursday, adopted four more articles of a new constitutional reform package, ahead of a referendum likely to be held in April.

If the entire package passes parliament with at least 330 of 550 deputies, the new articles will be put to vote in a national referendum.

If the reforms obtain the support of 367 lawmakers, it can pass into law without a referendum; although President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would push for a referendum even if the draft is approved by a two-thirds majority.

In order to carry out the proposed changes to the Constitution, a simple majority, or 51 percent, is required in the referendum.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has 316 seats and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) ,which has so far supported the constitutional change, has 39 seats.

Approval votes from the two parties would be enough to secure a referendum.