QA-36, 7 July 2017, Statement of Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu, in response to a question regarding the reaction of the Netherlands to the prospective visit of Mr. Tuğrul Türkeş, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, to the Netherlands within the framework of an event to commemorate the first anniversary of the thwarted coup attempt

Activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the thwarted coup attempt of July 15, 2016, are planned to take place in Turkey as well as in some European countries with large Turkish populations.

Regardless of our bilateral relations, the aim of the activities that are to be held in these countries is to uphold democracy in face of the heinous coup attempt and, to remember as well as to keep alive the memories of the martyrs and veterans for their dedication to democracy, with the Turkish citizens living there.

The statement done by the Netherlands epitomises the understanding of democracy in this country.