Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite on Tuesday stressed how important it was for the European Union to help Turkey overcome its current financial difficulties and to maintain ties with Ankara in light of existing geopolitical threats, including international terrorism.
VILNIUS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2018) Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite on Tuesday stressed how important it was for the European Union to help Turkey overcome its current financial difficulties and to maintain ties with Ankara in light of existing geopolitical threats, including international terrorism.
Earlier in the day, Grybauskaite met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is currently visiting the Baltic country.
"In the face of geopolitical security and economic challenges, Europe cannot turn away from Turkey encountering financial difficulties. It is necessary to search for solutions to assist Turkey that makes a strategic contribution in curbing terrorism and migration threats posed to Europe," Grybauskaite said as quoted by her office.
She pointed out that Turkey was a reliable member of NATO and played "a crucial role in ensuring collective defense of the entire Alliance." The Lithuanian official further highlighted the need for Washington and Ankara to find ways to ease current tensions.
The talks between Cavusoglu and Grybauskaite took place amid the crisis in Turkish-US relations that was sparked by the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey over his alleged links to a terrorist organization.
US President Donald Trump said in early August that he had authorized increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Turkey. The announcement led to a sharp drop of the Turkish lira.
