Kazakhstan stands by Turkey in fight against FETO

ALMATY, Kazakhstan

Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov on Thursday pledged Kazakhstan’s support in combating the organization said to be behind the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

Speaking after a meeting with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in capital Almaty, Idrissov said the countries had established a joint working group to look into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its penetration of Kazakh society.

“We decided to improve cooperation, especially in the education field,” he said at a joint news briefing. “We will keep working with Turkey on this issue. Kazakhstan’s government bodies maintain close cooperation with this working group. We are sure that our Turkish brothers will overcome this process successfully.”

FETO, which is led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, is said to be behind the failed coup, during which 241 people were martyred. For decades the organization has been involved in establishing a network of schools and business in Turkey and further afield, particularly in central Asia.

Idrissov and Cavusoglu were meeting ahead of a strategic cooperation meeting to be held in Turkey. As well as bilateral and regional relations, the pair also discussed commercial, educational and cultural issues.

Cavusoglu welcomed Kazakhstan’s support against FETO. He said President Nursultan Nazarbayev had backed Turkish democracy and was one of the first leaders to visit in the aftermath of the coup bid. “We are sure that the brother Kazakhstan will take Turkey’s side in the fight against FETO,” he told journalists.

Reporting by Tolga Ozgenc : Writing by Tutku Senen