Belgium center for PKK, FETÖ terrorists: Erdoğan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Belgium is the most important center for supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) terrorists that orchestrated and contributed to the July 15 coup bid that targeted the democratically-elected government of Turkey.

Erdoğan's harsh criticism targeting European countries over their support to terrorist organizations came before his visit to Pakistan.

"German officials' findings prove that an organization in Germany was collecting money for the PKK terrorists," he said.

Erdoğan's words against German officials followed German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit on Tuesday in Turkey's capital of Ankara, where he observed the damage of the Turkish parliament, which was bombed during the July 15 defeated coup.

Steinmeier expressed Germany's concern against the counterterrorism effort of Turkey, despite the fact that Ankara officials repeatedly emphasized that these efforts are crucial for the territorial integrity, independency and peace of the country.

Erdoğan said the Euphrates Shield operation that is being conducted with the support of Turkey by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters, said the opposition fighters are proceeding, as they are only two kilometers from the city of al-Bab and about to sweep Daesh terrorists from there.

Erdoğan's remarks about the Syrian operation followed the announcement that FSA special taskforce soldiers gained control of two villages in the Al-Bab area, Kabbasin and Al-Kufayr.

Erdoğan also touched upon the constitutional change and presidential system discussions in Turkey and dismissed the criticism against the planned changes.

"Presidential system doesn't mean that the president will cut the ties to his political party," he said.

He also added that the new system is crucial for the sake of Turkey.

The Turkish President also criticized the antidemocratic developments in Egypt, saying that the steps that the Egypt government is taking against former President Mohamed Morsi is 'unacceptable'.

"No one can tell us not to intervene in Egypt's internal matter. Morsi and his supports should be released immediately instead of an appeal of the death sentence.

The Turkish President also announced that Israel appointed its first ambassador to Turkey in six years and Kemal Ökem will be appointed as Turkey's new ambassador to Israel on Tuesday.

Ökem was the chief adviser on foreign policy to the prime minister prior to his latest appointment.

The two countries renewed ties in June following a six-year split over the attack on the Mavi Marmara aid ship in May 2010, when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound ship.