TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Friday criticized the European Union for refusing to put the counter-revolutionary group PJAK (the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan) on its list of terrorist groups.

Salehi, who has travelled to Turkey to convey the condolences of the Iranian nation and government to Ankara over the deaths of 24 Turkish soldiers in attacks carried out by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on Wednesday, made the remarks upon his arrival in the Turkish capital of Ankara.  

Speaking to reporters, he called PKK and PJAK two terrorist groups and criticized the European Union’s double-standard approach toward terrorist groups. 

“The EU, which has put the PKK on the list of terrorist groups, should abandon its double-standard approach and put PJAK on the list as well,” Salehi said. 

According to certain news reports, Iran and Turkey have agreed to launch a joint campaign against the PKK and PJAK.

Salehi also said he would discuss the issue of Syria crisis with the Turkish officials.

In his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Salehi stated that it was agreed that the 14th security committee meeting of the two countries would be held in Turkey in the near future.