NATO Says Turkey Membership 'not In Question' After Coup
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published August 10, 2016 | 06:16 PM
BRUSSELS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th August, 2016) - NATO said Wednesday that Turkey's membership of the military alliance is "not in question" following the failed coup in July as the organisation stressed its "very clear position" of continued support for Ankara. "Turkey's NATO membership is not in question," spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a statement issued in response to "speculative press reports". "NATO counts on the continued contributions of Turkey and Turkey can count on the solidarity and support of NATO," Lungescu said. The statement comes the day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a highly-symbolic visit to Russia to mend fences, sparking speculation that Ankara's close ties with the West could be at risk. Turkey is the second largest military power in US-led NATO and is a crucial ally as the West faces unprecedented conflict and upheaval across the middle East.
Erdogan has sharply criticised the United States and the European Union for not doing more to show support in the aftermath of the bloody coup. He has also bristled at their warnings that he should not undermine humans rights and democratic norms in the subsequent crackdown which has netted thousands of people. In the statement, Lungescu recalled that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg had telephoned Erdogan in the immediate aftermath of the abortive putsch "strongly condemning the attempted coup and reiterating full support for Turkey's democratic institutions". "He expressed support for the elected government of Turkey and respect for the courage of the Turkish people," she noted. "He also conveyed his condolences for those who had lost their lives during the coup attempt."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dar for joint action to counter Islamophobia in context of Israeli aggression ag ..
Azam Tarar urges for effective implementation of Action Plan for Human Rights
PAF cadets' graduation ceremony held
One-day national seminar "Great Power Competition: Challenges and Opportunities ..
10 firms submit LoIs for PIA: Aleem Khan
Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk pilgrim card for the Hajj of 2024
High Commissioner Hawkins hosts reception to mark 'Australia Day in Spring'
PM forms inquiry committee to probe matter of wheat import
E-Evidence system inaugurated in Bahawalnagar district courts
Bitterness at UCLA as Gaza protest cleared
Kenya, Tanzania brace for cyclone as heavy rains persist
DC reviews seven-day anti-polio drive in Federal Capital
More Stories From World
-
Bitterness at UCLA as Gaza protest cleared
7 hours ago -
Kenya, Tanzania brace for cyclone as heavy rains persist
7 hours ago -
UK police arrest 45 at protest against migrant removals
7 hours ago -
Macron floats Ukraine troop deployment if frontline breached
7 hours ago -
Gaza needs biggest post-war reconstruction effort since WWII: UN
7 hours ago -
Kids study in overheated slum as Philippines shuts schools
8 hours ago
-
Macron floats Ukraine troop deployment if frontline breached
8 hours ago -
Biden says 'order must prevail' on US campuses amid protests
8 hours ago -
Death toll from rain, flooding in southern Brazil rises to 13
8 hours ago -
US says 'deeply concerned' by Georgia's 'foreign influence' bill
8 hours ago -
Kenya, Tanzania brace for cyclone as heavy rains persist
8 hours ago -
Gaza post-war reconstruction at scale unseen since WWII, UN says
8 hours ago