Press Release Regarding the Attack at Levallois-Perret Near Paris, Perpetrated on August 9th, 2017 We are saddened by the vehicle-ramming attack targeting soldiers at Levallois-Perret, close to Paris, on August 9th, as a result of which 6 soldiers have been wounded. We condemn this dastardly attack aiming to disrupt social peace in France and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Press release regarding certain baseless allegations contained in a statement of the Greek Foreign Ministry dated 8 August The 53rd anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance was commemorated yesterday (8 August) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We have also observed that an unfortunate statement has been made on this issue by the Greek Foreign Ministry. The Greek statement contained allegations concerning the support provided by Turkey as a motherland and Guarantor to the courageous and noble struggle of the Turkish Cypriots in 1964 against the common enosis aspirations and ethnic cleansing attempts of the Greek Cypriots and Greeks. We deplore and condemn these completely baseless and false allegations. For many years, the Greek Cypriots and Greeks resorted to every possible means of propagating fear and instigating violence with the aim of expelling the Turkish Cypriots from the Island of Cyprus through ethnic cleansing. This most recent statement probably reflects a futile attempt to cover up their feeling of guilt regarding their acts.

Press Release Regarding the decision to launch Sectoral Dialogue Partnership between Turkey and ASEAN We warmly welcome the decision to launch Sectoral Dialogue Partnership (SDP) between Turkey and the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), taken at the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 5 August 2017 in Manila. It makes it very meaningful that the decision is taken during Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu’s visit to the Philippines to attend a series of events held within the ASEAN Meetings and in the year ASEAN is celebrating its 50th anniversary. We would like to extend our congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. We observe that in terms of its political and economic dimensions ASEAN has moved beyond the expectations and goals of the founding fathers, which came together on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok. We renew our faith that ASEAN’s success story will advance further in the next 50 years. In line with its policy towards Asia-Pacific, Turkey has made great strides in strengthening institutional bonds with ASEAN, which developed into the indispensable political and economic platform in its 50 years. In this context, Turkey acceded the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2010. The Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, which sets forth more concrete cooperation between ASEAN and third countries in various sectors, is a turning point in terms of the relations between Turkey and ASEAN. Turkey regards ASEAN as an effective regional integration mechanism in its region. Turkey appreciates the role played by ASEAN to promote and preserve political stability, economic prosperity and social resilience in Southeast Asia region. Turkey supports ASEAN’s efforts to be a more cohesive, credible and relevant organization in regional and international matters in the coming years for the prosperity and well-being of its peoples. The Action Plan presented by Turkey in the framework of its SDP, has practical projects which can contribute to ASEAN’s endeavours in this direction. Further developing the cooperation between Turkey and ASEAN is an important step for connecting the two ends of Asia. With a view to becoming a Dialogue Partner and as the new Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, Turkey will continue its efforts to enhance its bilateral relations with ASEAN countries and advance its institutional ties with ASEAN.

Press Release Regarding the Visit of Foreign Minister H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to the People’s Republic of China Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China on 2-3 August 2017. The second meeting of the Turkey-China Foreign Ministers' Consultation Mechanism will be held between H.E. Çavuşoğlu and his Chinese counterpart, H.E. Wang Yi. Two Ministers will take up all aspects of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues.

Press Release Regarding the Visit of Foreign Minister H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to the Philippines Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to the Philippines from 4 to 6 August 2017 in order to participate in a series of events held within the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, under the ASEAN Term Presidency of the Philippines, upon the invitation of H.E. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Secretary of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. Foreign Ministers/Deputy Foreign Ministers of a total of 27 countries including 10 ASEAN Member States, 10 ASEAN Dialogue Partners (EU, USA, Australia, PR China, Republic of Korea, India, Japan, Canada, Russian Federation, New Zealand) and countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) will participate in the meetings. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu is expected to have bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the margins of the meetings. Turkey took the decision to establish institutional relations with ASEAN in 1999, in line with the Association’s increasing role in the region, and acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (ASEAN/TAC) in 2010 during the 43th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Vietnam. Turkey was also invited for the first time to the ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as the special guest of ASEAN Term President Brunei in 2013. Lastly, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu participated in the 48th ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in August 2015 upon the invitation of ASEAN Term President Malaysia.

Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu, In Response To A Question Regarding The Statement Of The US Special Envoy For The Global Coalition To Counter Daesh Made During A Speech He Delivered At A Think Tank Our reaction to the statements of Brett McGurk, US Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter DAESH, in which he associated Turkey with the presence of terrorist organizations in Idlib was brought to Mr. McGurk’s attention at a high-level démarche and his statements, which could be characterized as provocative, were protested. In addition, Mr. McGurk was reminded of both the fact that the root causes enabling terrorist organizations to find foothold in Syria and Iraq could only be eradicated only if the deeds and actions of all relevant actors do not contradict one another, and our expectation that the Syria-based terrorist organization PYD/YPG is not supported for whatever the reason may be. Our reaction to Mr. McGurk's statements will also be reiterated to the US authorities by the Turkish Embassy in Washington.

Press Release Regarding the Ballistic Missile Launch Conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 28 July 2017 We condemn the ballistic missile launch conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 28 July 2017. Having conducted its second ballistic missile test within one month, the DPRK continues to flagrantly violate UN Security Council Resolutions and to disregard its international obligations. We call upon the DPRK to abide by the UNSC resolutions and to refrain from any action that would lead to further escalation in the region.

Press Release regarding the United Nations Security Council Resolution on the extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus The mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is extended every six months. The most recent resolution adopted to this end in the UN Security Council on 27 July contains certain wordings which prejudge the future conduct of the Cyprus settlement process. The Conference on Cyprus was concluded without any outcome on 7 July 2017, as also openly stated by the UN Secretary-General. In his periodic report on UNFICYP issued on 10 July, the UN Secretary-General indicated the disappointment which ensued from the closure of the Conference on Cyprus without an agreement being reached. The Secretary-General invited the parties, particularly the two Leaders on the Island, to reflect deeply on this result and on the possible way ahead. This being the case, the wordings prejudging the period ahead in the resolution on the extension of UNFICYP’s mandate have no meaning. Taking into account the recommendation of the UN Secretary-General, Turkey is continuing its assessment of the future steps to be taken on the settlement of the Cyprus issue in light of its observations concerning the course of the process to date as well as its determination to reach a lasting settlement.

Press Release Regarding Turkey’s Membership to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) We welcome the formal approval of Turkey’s membership to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting yesterday in New York. Turkey attaches great importance to developing relations with the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region pursuant to its multidimensional foreign policy. Turkey’s maturing outreach strategy towards the LAC region aims at elevating its bilateral relations with the countries of the region to the highest level in all areas and the establishment of institutional ties with regional organizations. The main objective of ECLAC, one of the five regional commissions established by ECOSOC, is to contribute to the development of Latin American countries and to harmonize their economic policies. Since its foundation in 1948, ECLAC has made significant contributions to the industrialization and inclusive growth of the region with the strategies it has pursued for the development of Latin America. Turkey applied for membership to ECLAC during the visit of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Chile on 1 February 2016. Turkey’s application was accepted at the meeting of the Committee of the Whole of ECLAC, which was held on 30 January 2017.

Press Release Regarding Turkey’s aid to Yemen In order to help alleviate the pressing needs of the friendly and brotherly people of Yemen, Turkey, in addition to its emergency assistance in 2015 and 2016, and its pledge of 1 million USD announced in April 2017 at the “High Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen”, has sent to Yemen a vessel containing 10.560 tons of humanitarian assistance. Under the coordination of the Turkish Red Crescent and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency-AFAD and with contributions of the Turkish Ministry of Health and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency-TİKA, the vessel, containing 50 tons of medicine and medical equipment for the treatment of cholera, as well as flour, food products, footwear, wheelchairs and 2 field hospitals, reached the Port of Aden yesterday (20 July). The vessel was welcomed at the port with a ceremony in the presence of the relevant Yemeni authorities. Aiming at establishing peace and stability in Yemen and putting an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people, Turkey will continue to support efforts in finding a political solution to the crisis and make every effort to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of our Yemeni brothers and sisters.

Press Release Regarding the Turkey-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting The Turkey-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting will be held on 25 July 2017 in Brussels with the participation of H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ömer Çelik, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, and from the EU side, Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission and Mr. Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. During the meeting between President Erdoğan and the Presidents of the EU institutions on 25 May in Brussels, it was agreed to increase dialogue between Turkey and the EU, following which contacts at the technical and political levels were intensified. The state of Turkey’s accession negotiations, cooperation in the fields of energy, economy, trade and the fight against terrorism, the latest developments concerning migration and the visa liberalization process as well as recent developments regarding regional issues will be on the agenda. Turkey, as a candidate country and a strategic partner, will convey its expectations on these issues to the EU side.

Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu, In Response To A Question Regarding The Statements Of The Separatist Groups In Eastern Ukraine We consider the statements of separatist groups in eastern Ukraine on the establishment of a new state as violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It is clear that such declarations and acts hinder the solution efforts. We maintain that the solution to be found to the situation in eastern Ukraine should be based on its territorial integrity, sovereignty and international law. We will continue to support all peaceful initiatives to this end, primarily the Minsk process. We think it is important that all relevant parties act likewise.