Secretary General in Ankara: NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey

On Thursday evening, the Secretary General met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss Turkey’s contributions to the Alliance’s shared security – including in Afghanistan, in the fight against ISIL, and in NATO’s efforts to stop human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.
NATO continues to stand in solidarity with Turkey, with increased naval and air presence, and with defensive missile systems on the border with Syria, Mr Stoltenberg said.

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.

On Friday, Mr. Stoltenberg will meet with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Defence Minister Fikri Işık and other senior officials.