NATO’s high command has been forced to deny Turkey’s membership is in doubt, with a spokesperson insisting Ankara remained a close partner and its membership of the 28-member group was “not in question”.
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President Tayyip Erdogan met with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Tuesday in a visit closely watched by the West, where there is concern the two leaders may use their rapprochement to pressure Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Cavusoglu said: “We (Turkey) especially don’t want attacks that harm civilians”.
“We are not improving ties with Russian Federation to send a message to the West”, Cavusoglu told Anadolu.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Konstantin palace outside St.Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016.
Mevlut Cavusoglu said the European Union had “failed a test” by its response to the army’s bid to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 15.
He added: “No-one should ask us whether one of our relations is an alternative to another”.
Turkey is NATO’s second largest military power after the United States and is a crucial ally as the West faces unprecedented conflict and upheaval across the Middle East. -Turkish ties, with some Turkish officials implying Washington could have been behind the coup.
Turkey has been incensed by the Western response to the attempted coup, viewing Europe as more concerned about the rights of the plotters than the events themselves and the United States as reluctant to extradite the US -based Turkish cleric it holds responsible.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – A delegation of Turkish foreign ministry, military and intelligence officials is traveling to Russian Federation for discussions on finding a solution to the Syria conflict, Turkey’s foreign minister said Wednesday.
Turkey is pressing the United States to extradite USA -based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom it accuses of orchestrating the coup attempt, and has expressed frustration at its slow response.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also told reporters in a round table that Turkey had agreed to work with Russian Federation in fight against terrorism, including against Kurdish militants and the Islamic State.
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“He expressed support for the elected government of Turkey and respect for the courage of the Turkish people”.
