NATO chief praises Turks for ‘standing up’ against coup plotters

ISTANBUL

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during an event - AFP photo

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has praised Turkish people “for standing up” against the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt, widely believed to have been masterminded by the followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. 

“Democracy and rule of law are shared values of NATO allies. On the first anniversary of the coup attempt in Turkey I reiterate my strong message that any attempt to undermine democracy in any of our allied countries is unacceptable,” Stoltenberg said in his message to mark the first year anniversary of the foiled coup on July 15, as he added that “he still remembers the shock” of seeing the Turkish Parliament being bombed by coup soldiers.

“Immediately after the coup attempt I strongly condemned it and expressed NATO’s solidarity with our valued ally Turkey. I also visited Ankara in the aftermath of the coup attempt and still remember the shock I felt seeing the damage inflicted at the Parliament building by the bombardments of the coup plotters,” he also said. 

“On this important occasion I once again pay homage to the memories of those who lost their lives during the critical hours of the coup attempt and pay tribute to the Turkish people who stood up against this heinous act in defense of its elected government and democratic institutions,” Stoltenberg added.