Georgia condemns coup attempt in Turkey
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, July 18
“It is very important for us that democratic development in Turkey not to be endangered, and it is very important for us that the democratically elected government in Turkey not to be threatened with danger,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said while commenting on the coup attempt in Turkey, which left nearly 270 killed and more than 1440 injured on July 15.
Kvirikashvili made his statement for Reuters after a special meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), convened by the President of Georgia and held at the Presidential Palace in capital Tbilisi.
According to him, Turkey is Georgia’s strategic partner, whose stability is very important to Georgia.
“Military coups are unacceptable for all democratic states,” he noted.
The PM also said the NSC meeting discussed possible threats the situation in Turkey might pose to Georgia and analyzed the latest developments and information provided by the State Security Service and the Interior Ministry.
“To ensure the safety of our citizens, we limited movement across the border…we advise our citizens, wherever they may be, to abstain from traveling to Turkey,” he added.
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili expressed concern about the recent developments in Turkey.
“We want to express our support to the democratically elected government in Turkey, and personally to President Erdogan,” said Margvelashvili after the NSC meeting.
Moreover, Georgia’s Ambassador to Turkey Irakli Koplatadze reported there are no Georgians among those dead and injured in Turkey.
“According to current information there are no Georgians among those dead and injured,” he stated.
According to Georgian Foreign Minister MIkheil Janelidze, representatives of Georgia’s consulate arrived at Istanbul airport and provided Georgian citizens with food and medications.
“It is important that our partner and neighbor Turkey not to have problems in terms of democratic development,” he stated.
The Foreign Ministry called on the Georgian citizens in Turkey to stay indoors and if necessary, get in touch with the Georgian embassy in Turkey (+905336903040, +905418184400).
According to the Georgia’s Interior Ministry, restrictions for the Georgian citizens on crossing the Turkey border were lifted late on July 16, less than twelve hours after they were imposed.
“Georgian citizens can travel to Turkey without restrictions through crossing-points via land and sea, as well as air at Georgia’s airports,” the ministry said.
A military group attempted to carry out a coup against acting Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late on July 15.
Incidents took place in Ankara and Istanbul, where tanks blocked key bridges and shut down Ataturk International Airport. The Turkish parliament and presidential buildings in Ankara were also attacked.
According to the Turkish Presidential bureau, the total death toll reached 270 and more than 1440 were injured. About 3000 soldiers were arrested and 2745 judges were fired for alleged links to the coup.
