“The Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism”, the first international treaty addressing the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon that was signed in Riga on 22 October 2015, has been recently ratified by our country and entered into force in Turkey as of today.

To this date, 40 member states and the EU have signed the Additional Protocol. Twelve member states, including Turkey, have ratified and enforced the Protocol.

Turkey significantly contributed to the drafting and prompt signing of the Additional Protocol, which not only stipulates strengthening the cooperation among the members of the Council of Europe, but also obligates them to criminalize a number of acts, such as taking part in an association or a group for the purpose of terrorism, receiving terrorist training, travelling abroad for the purposes of terrorism and organizing, financing or facilitating such travels.

As a country simultaneously combatting several terrorist organizations such as PKK/PYD/YPG, FETO and DAESH, Turkey will continue to contribute to the international efforts against terrorism, a major threat to the global peace and security.