Remarks of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania – H.E.Mr. Ditmir Bushati

at meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,

7^th of September 2016, Strasbourg

 

Dear Chairwoman Kaljurand (Dear Marina),

Dear Secretary General,

 

I am very pleased to participate in this meeting and have this opportunity to exchange views with our friend Mevlut Cavusoglu, on the current situation in Turkey. I would like to thank him for his briefing on the ongoing developments.

Albania attaches special importance to its relations with Turkey.

Turkey is a close friend to Albania, an important partner in the region and a NATO ally.

Turkey has been in the forefront of international efforts in the fight against ISIS and all type of terrorism. We are all witness of the particularly heavy price Turkey has paid to terror.

We are also aware of the unprecedented burden Turkey is still facing due to the refugee crisis as result of the instability in the South, the ongoing fighting in Syria, the troubled situation in Iraq and the chaos in Lybia.

There is no doubt, Turkey has proved a trustworthy European partner in this unprecedented crisis and it remains an actor of paramount importance in all common efforts to address this challenge.

What happened during the night of 15^th July was a direct attempt to Turkey’s constitutional order. The Albanian Government has firmly condemned the failed coup. We have expressed solidarity and have welcomed the determination of the Turkish people and their legitimate and democratically elected representatives to restore constitutional order and uphold the rule of law.

It is important to highlight that a democratic, stable and developed Turkey is not only in the interest of its people but also a critical factor for the European security architecture.

 

Ms. Chairwoman,

Both the visit of Secretary General Jagland’s visit to Ankara and the report issued on this occasion have shed light on the need to closely follow and cooperate on the ground when a member State faces challenges, difficulties and threats affecting its security.

Turkey is a dedicated member of the Council of Europe. It has proved that, like other members, it is bound by commitments and obligations that derive by the membership. Dealing with the aftermath of the coup, a most difficult and complex situation, was not going to be easy, not a simple matter of a few days. It is therefore a process where responsibilities have to be identified and the perpetrators have to face justice.

We are therefore confident that in this perspective, while following internal procedures in accordance with the constitutional order, Turkey will also work with the Council of Europe.

We trust the ability of Turkey that – it must not be forgotten – while faced with an extremely difficult challenge, it will manage to uphold the values and acquis of democracy, the European standards, in particular the European Convention of Human Rights, to the benefit of protection of its democracy, human rights and the overall rule of law.

Thank you!