Turkey severely criticizes Greece over asylum to FETO-linked coup plotters
"Terrorists, putschists and traitors, in other words, traitors who have targeted Greece cannot take shelter in our country," Çavuşoğlu said in his speech during a press conference with his Greek counterpart while referring to Greece's decision to grant legal protection to eight Turkish soldiers.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 12:00 | 04 September 2018
- Modified Date: 06:54 | 04 September 2018
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Tuesday criticized Greece for granting asylum to FETO-linked coup plotters who fled there after an attempted coup in July 2016.
"Terrorists, putschists and traitors, in other words, traitors who have targeted Greece cannot take shelter in our country," Çavuşoğlu said while referring to Greece's decision to grant legal protection to eight Turkish soldiers.
"We will not let this happen," Çavuşoğlu told a press conference alongside Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias in the Aegean province of Izmir, according to state news agency Anadolu.
"We do not host terrorists," Kotzias said. "What we always have in our country is the due process of justice and of international law."
The two were attending the opening of a renovated Greek consulate building in Izmir.
A great number of FETO and PKK suspects fled to Turkey's neigbouring country, Greece, for not being tried in Turkish courts.
Turkey has been pushing for the extradition from Greece of the eight FETO fugitive coup plotters.
The two NATO allies have, however, recently been mending ties. In August, Turkey released two Greek soldiers who were held on suspicion of spying since March.
Çavuşoğlu also mentioned the start of a ferry service between Izmir and Thessaloniki, and spoke of plans for a railway project between Istanbul and the Greek port city.