QA-20, 31 July 2015

H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, had a telephone conversation with H.E. Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Europe and Integration upon the request of the Austrian side on 29 July.

During the conversation, latest developments in Syria and the fight against terrorism were the main issues discussed. In this context, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu informed his Austrian counterpart about the measures taken and the operations carried out by Turkey in the fight against both DAESH and the PKK. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also touched upon the efforts Turkey is exerting towards the peace process and stated that despite these efforts, attacks against our security forces still continue.

Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Europe and Integration, stated that he supported Turkey in the context of the recent terrorist attacks and expressed their desire for the continuation of the peace process.

(Question Regarding when H.E. Ambassador Hasan Göğüş will return to his post in Vienna)

As is known, the Turkish Ambassador to Vienna had been recalled to Ankara for consultations after the political parties, which have groups in the Austrian Parliament, defined the 1915 events as "genocide" in the "Joint Declaration", which was announced by the Spokesperson of the Parliament on 22 April upon being signed by the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Groups.

Upon the Austrian Minister’s question as to when our bilateral relations will normalize and when the Turkish Ambassador to Vienna will return to his post, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that first and foremost meaningful and satisfactory steps are expected from the Austrian Government to make up for the damage our relations suffered.