NATO says Turkey ‘valued ally’

BRUSSELS – NATO is responding to what it calls “speculative” reports in the Turkish press, saying Turkey has the support of its NATO allies and that its membership in the alliance is not in question.

There have been reports in Turkish media of possible NATO and U.S. intelligence involvement in the failed June 15 coup. A columnist for the Haber Turk newspaper suggested the attempted putsch was planned by a secret NATO network.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Wednesday that “Turkey is a valued ally, making substantial contributions to NATO’s joint efforts.”

Lungescu says NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, strongly condemned the attempted coup. She says, “NATO counts on the continued contributions of Turkey, and Turkey can count on the solidarity and support of NATO.”