Allegations reported by some prominent European media that the United States National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropped on confidential phone calls of embassies and diplomatic missions of 38 countries, including Turkey, and tracked their internet records, are a source of concern.

Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu discussed this matter with the US Secretary of State John Kerry in Brunei, where he was participating in the ASEAN Meetings, and stated that Turkey is expecting an explanation concerning these allegations.

Besides the meeting between Minister Davutoğlu and Secretary of State Kerry, in absence of US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Mr. Jess Baily, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Ankara was invited today (3 July 2013) to the Ministry by Ambassador Ömer Önhon, Deputy Undersecretary for General Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Önhon reiterated our expectation for clarification on this matter.

Taking into account our long-standing relations of alliance based on mutual trust, cooperation and transparency, it is self-evident that these allegations need to be clarified. Necessary assessments on these allegations will be carried out in light of the response which will be received from the US authorities.