Lithuania’s Linkevičius first EU and NATO minister to visit Turkey after coup

Turkey still feels grievances over coming under a lot of criticism from Western partners and getting very little support, Linkevičius has said.

“It is not normal that a month after a shock in a huge country of 80 million people nobody has shown any direct interest. Direct communication is different from criticism in the press or lecturing,” the Lithuanian diplomacy chief told BNS in a telephone interview from Ankara.

“While here, I felt that the people of Turkey are indeed sensitive about this, they feel insulted, misunderstood and unsupported, as all they hear is criticism, but get little support,” said Linkevičius.

EU officials have criticized the Turkish government over harsh measures it took in the wake of the failed putsch.

The Lithuanian minister said he stated expectations for Turkey to respect human rights and the rule of law.

Linkevičius has confirmed that Turkish officials brought to his attention the institutions in Lithuania that are linked to the movement of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen whom the Turkish administration has accused of plotting the coup. Turkey has requested that Washington extradite Gulen to Turkey.

The minister did not specify the institutions. According to Lithuanian media reports, Gulen’s movement is linked to the Vilnius International Meridian School (VIMS). Events about Gulen’s teaching are also organized by the Baltic Turkish Culture Academy.