Turkish PM thanks Council of Europe for coup solidarity

By Ilhan Toprak

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister thanked the Council of Europe (CoE)’s secretary general for the body’s solidarity after the defeated July 15 coup Thursday.

According to a Turkish prime ministerial source, Binali Yildirim and Thorbjorn Jagland met at Cankaya Palace in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Yildirim voiced his desire to enhance cooperation between Turkey and the CoE, the source added.

He added Turkey wanted to see the CoE nearby in this "critical period".

Jagland said he would continue to work to strengthen cooperation between Turkey and the CoE, the source added.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag also met Jagland at the ministry. The meeting lasted about 50 minutes and was closed to press.

Jagland was also received by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace.