“The news coming from Turkey is a source of deep concern, and the fact that the tensions of recent days have resulted in deaths is very serious”.
The statement came from Minister for Foreign Affairs Emma Bonino, according to whom “excessive use of force by the police cannot be an acceptable response to the protests”.
“The right to demonstrate peacefully is one of the pillars of democracy”, Emma Bonino continued, “as are pluralism and tolerance”. “We expect of all the parties in Turkey”, the minister underscored, “that they will strive to end the violence and foster the atmosphere necessary to address their various positions and orientations through dialogue and peaceful confrontation”.
“Italy will continue to believe firmly in Turkey’s European prospects”, Minister Bonino concluded, “and in its role as a fundamental factor in stability and security on a regional scale. We are confident that Turkey will be able to weather this difficult moment, confirming itself as a mature democracy that, as President Gul has said, cannot be articulated in open elections alone”.
