Int’l community, Washington, Moscow stand in strong solidarity with Republic of Turkey

ANKARA

World powers and the international community have extended messages of strong solidarity with the people of Turkey in the face of the threat that the country’s democratic institutions and the constitutional order have been facing.

NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg said in a written statement “I have just spoken to the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. I am following events in Turkey closely and with concern. I call for calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey’s democratic institutions and its constitution. Turkey is a valued NATO Ally.”

Another message of solidarity to the people of Turkey on the situation in the country came from Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Thorbjørn Jagland, in the form of an emailed statement. 

“Any attempt to overthrow the democratically elected leaders in Turkey is unacceptable in a member state of the Council of Europe, which defends democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” said Jagland of the CoE, an intergovernmental organization defending human rights and comprising of 47 nations, including EU states, Turkey and Russia.

Elsewhere, U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected government of Turkey while Kremlin expressed its grave concerns over the recent developments.

“The President spoke tonight by phone with Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the events in Turkey. The President and Secretary agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected Government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed,” read the readout issued by the White House early July 16.

In a phone call to Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Kerry emphasized “absolute support for Turkey’s civilian government and democratic institutions”. The Secretary underscored that the State Department will continue to focus on the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Turkey.

Russia's foreign ministry warned July 16 that the coup attempt in Turkey increases the threat to stability in the region.

"Moscow is most concerned at the latest events in Turkey," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The flare-up of the domestic political situation against the backdrop of the existing terrorist threats in this country and the armed conflict in the region brings a heightened risk to international and regional stability."  
Russia called on Turkey's "authorities and people to resolve the problems that have arisen without violence, with respect for constitutional order."  

Moscow confirmed its "readiness to work constructively with the legally elected leadership of Turkey in the interest of promoting bilateral relations," saying this particularly applied to "fighting the threat of terrorism." 

The Kremlin also said it was gravely concerned about events in Turkey, and that it had instructed officials to help Russian nationals in Turkey return home at the earliest opportunity.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that President Vladimir Putin was being kept constantly updated on the situation in Turkey, where the government has said a military coup attempt is underway.

Peskov said events were moving too fast to fully understand what was happening, but he said Russia was concerned and wanted to see Turkey return to the path of stability and order, and for there to be a lawful outcome.

He said that, whoever was now in charge in Turkey, it was incumbent on them to ensure the safety of Russian nationals.

The European Union has joined calls for “restraint” after the attempted coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“In constant contact with EU Delegation in Ankara & Brussels from Mongolia. Call for restraint and respect for democratic institutions #Turkey,” the EU’s High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, tweeted from a regional summit in Ulan Bator.

“Brussels will be watching with deep concern the events in Turkey, a key partner on its southeastern flank which has been trying to join the EU for many years without success,” said Mogherini.

Dramatic events have shaken the world during the last days: the attack in Nice and the military coup attempt in Turkey, said the European Council’s Donald Tusk, while speaking at a press conference after the 11th ASEM summit In Ulaanbaatar July 16.

“Both events serve as a strong reminder of the importance of global dialogue, cooperation, mutual respect and understanding. Let the message of solidarity of our entire community in the face of terrorism and violence be an important message to the world,” remarked Tusk.

“We continue to follow closely the developments and to coordinate with the 28 EU Member States,” he added about Turkey.

Meanwhile, Iran has said the attempted military coup in Turkey was "doomed to fail."

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as praising the "brave defense by the people of Turkey of their democracy and elected government."

Zarif said the events in neighboring Turkey prove "that coup d'etat has no place and is doomed to fail in our region."

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier both expressed deep concern after the attempted military coup in Turkey.

The Chairperson-in-Office said: “I condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to change the democratic order of Turkey through the use of force. The democratic institutions of Turkey and the constitutional order must be respected”, Steinmeier stressed. “All those that carry responsibility must adhere to the rules of democracy and the rule of law and must prevent any further bloodshed. It is encouraging that the political parties represented in the Turkish Parliament have expressed their commitment to the principles of democracy.”

Secretary General Zannier expressed faith in the wisdom of the Turkish leadership: “ I call on the Turkish Government and democratic institutions to exercise restraint in the aftermath of last night’s events.  Rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights and freedom of the media must be upheld even in difficult times.  We stand ready to support Turkey in safeguarding the common values and principles that constitute the cornerstone of the OSCE”, said Zannier.