Azernews.Az

By Gunay Camal

Azerbaijan continues to show full solidarity with the people and state of Turkey, said Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

The minister made the remark at the 1263rd meeting of the Minister's Deputies of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on September 7.

Mammadyarov emphasized that from the very beginning, Azerbaijan expressed its serious concern and strongly condemned this crime [the military coup attempt] perpetrated by one group against the Constitution and democracy in brotherly Turkey.

“By reiterating our solidarity with the People and State of Turkey we expressed our conviction that the situation would fully stabilize through unity of Turkish people and the state. Regretfully, the coup attempt took many lives, and by using this opportunity I extend my deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those perished while preventing this crime,” the minister said.

Turkey plays an important role in enhancing and securing peace and sustainability in and beyond our region and therefore its own stability is of utmost importance for the entire region, believes the minister.

“Azerbaijan enjoys strong strategic partnership with Turkey based on the will of our People and State and our shared values. Therefore, naturally the violent coup attempt against the legitimate government of the brotherly nation caused great anxiety in our society,” he said.

Then, the minister said that Baku commends the Estonian Chairmanship for clear condemnation of the attempted coup and for visiting Turkey in the aftermath of the tragic events to express support for the leadership of Turkey and demonstrate solidarity with the Turkish people.

“These acts were not only necessary for supporting the legitimate government in Turkey, but also for defending the common values the Organization stands for,” he added.

“We believe that this very important political support should be continued by providing Turkey with any assistance it needs in the post-coup period through the valuable mechanisms and tools the Council of Europe has at its disposal.”

The minister is sure that the Council of Europe can play a constructive and important role in this process. “Turkey has to enjoy full and unequivocal support of the members of international community. We have an obligation to stand with Turkey against the threat to its democracy,” Mammadyarov emphasized.

The minister once gain reiterated that Azerbaijan stands by Turkey and expresses its unequivocal support for the government of Turkey in all its domestic and international endeavors.

The July 15 coup attempt occurred when rogue elements in the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly plot, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,000 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

The General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces has said that 8,651 servicemen of the armed forces participated in the military coup attempt in the country. The rebels used 35 planes, 37 helicopters, 246 tanks and three vessels during the military coup attempt in Turkey.

President Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency in Turkey on July 20.

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