NATO, EU officials visit Turkey for first time since foiled coup to improve ties

Europe, News September 9, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

European officials visit Turkey for the first time since the attempted coup to reassure their ally that they would continue their partnership. NATO welcomes Turkey’s increased fight against Islamic State

Marking his first visit to Ankara to show solidarity with Turkey since the attempted coup in July 2016, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg supported Turkey’s efforts against Daesh and that Ankara is entitled to defend itself.

“We welcome Turkey’s increasing efforts to fight against Daesh. Turkey has a right to defend itself. There have been many terrorist attacks coming from the Syrian side,” Stoltenberg told broadcaster NTV. He stated that “We must train local forces in Syria to fight terrorism and ensure stability in the county.”

NATO Secretary General visited Ankara from 8-9 September 2016 and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss Turkey’s contributions to the Alliance’s shared security – including in Afghanistan, in the fight against ISIS, and in NATO’s efforts to stop human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg assured Turkey of the bloc’s support, saying, “Turkey is a strong and highly esteemed member of the NATO, and will continue to remain so…If the coup had been successful, it would have been catastrophic not only for Turkey, but also for the entire alliance.”

The Secretary General also reiterated NATO’s condemnation of the recent coup attempt, expressing condolences for those who lost their lives, and respect for the courage of the Turkish people. “Any attack on democracy, in any of our countries, is an attack on the very foundation of our Alliance. A strong and democratic Turkey is essential for the stability and security of Europe and the region,” he said.

Substantive meeting w/ @RT_Erdogan. #NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey, its people and democracy. pic.twitter.com/eUzcLcuAoF

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 8, 2016

On Friday, Mr. Stoltenberg met with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Foreign Minister Mesut Cavusoglu, Defence Minister Fikri Işık and other senior officials.

NATO to builds up Air Forces, Missile Defense, Naval Presence in Turkey

During his visit, Mr Stoltenberg said:

“NATO continues to stand in solidarity with Turkey, with increased naval and air presence, and with defensive missile systems on the border with Syria.”

“Just as you stand with NATO, NATO stands with Turkey. We have increased our military presence in Turkey with more assets in the air, naval assets and also defensive missile defense systems deployed in Turkey,” Stoltenberg told journalists in Turkey.

The Incirlik airbase in Turkey hosts jets from the US, Germany, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are participating in the US-led coalition against Daesh.

EU pledges support for Turkey

Also on Friday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Mogherini said Brussels would continue moving ahead with Ankara on visa-free travel and an upgraded customs union, which has become a major bargaining chip in the EU and Turkey’s negotiations for a refugee deal.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU officials meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on 10 September 2016

Norwegian FM Børge Brende also visited Turkey and held one-on-one meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mesut Cavusoglu. “For Norway, Turkey is an important part of Europe and the NATO” he said.

Underlining the importance of Turkey’s role on the international arena, Brende also said that Turkey’s normalization process with Russia was a very constructive step for the whole region.