Jens Stoltenberg: NATO stands by Turkey

By Azernews

By Gunay Hasanova

NATO is with Turkey and shows all necessary assistance to support it, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on September 9, NTV television channel reported.

Stoltenberg also stressed that Turkey is an important NATO ally, especially in the Middle East region.

"Turkey is involved in various NATO operations. After the coup attempt [of July 2015] its army is probably experiencing some difficulties, however, Turkey continues to fulfill its commitments to NATO ", Stoltenberg added.

He also noted that NATO has strengthened its presence in the field of Air Force and missile defense in Turkey.

Stoltenberg arrived in Turkey on September 8.It is his first visit after the failed military coup in Turkey.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about the transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the death toll as a result of the military coup attempt stood at 246 people excluding the coup plotters and over 2,000 people were wounded.

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