Turkish Foreign Minister Says NATO Will Have A Korsus Eradication Of Terrorism

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conveyed information after a bilateral meeting at the Pancasila Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Saturday (15/7/2023). BETWEEN PHOTOs/Aditya Pradana Putra/foc.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will soon have a Special Coordinator for the Eradication of Terrorism (Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. "As a result of strong pressure from Turkey, for the first time in NATO history, a Special Coordinator for the Eradication of Terrorism will be formed which will be appointed by the Secretary-General," Fidan said at the Turkey National Democratic and Unity Day event at the Turkish Embassy in Jakarta as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, July 15.

National Democracy and Unity Day which is celebrated every July 15 is the day Turkey faces a coup attempt by so-called Turkish government as the Terrorist Organization Fethullah Gulen (FETO) in 2016. In that incident 251 people were killed and two thousand others injured.

"We have reaped the results of the focused and effective steps we have taken under the leadership of our President so far," said Fidan.

He reminded Turkish citizens living abroad to be aware of FETOs. "It is very important for Turkish citizens who settle abroad to be aware of FETOs and other forms targeting our country. This also applies to our citizens living in Indonesia," he said. Fidan ensured that the government would close educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, or other FETO institutions operating under certain guises in various countries.. "We will narrow the movement of FETOs through full coordination with our institutions and with effective cooperation with our friends," said Fidan.

In a NATO press release on a meeting between Turkey, Sweden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 10, Stoltenberg reiterated NATO firmly condemns all forms of terrorism.

According to the press release, NATO said it would increase various efforts in this field, including by creating a Special Coordinator for the Eradication of Terrorism.

Fidan visited Jakarta for the first time after taking office last June. He was present in Indonesia in order to attend a bilateral meeting with the Indonesian government and the ASEAN-Turkey Sectoral Dialogue Partnership Meeting.