Pahor concludes Turkey visit by honouring terrorism victims
"The fact is that the situation in Turkey after the 15 July coup will not be sorted out any time soon. However, it is crucial for Turkey and the EU, including Slovenia, how these things will be sorted out.
"If the Turkish authorities manage to get things in order while obeying the rule of law, I believe Turkey will have better chances of staying an inclusive society and in this sense a stable society and country and also a partner and an alley of the EU and NATO," the president said.
Pahor said in an interview with public broadcaster RTV Slovenia before his departure from Turkey that he was happy with his tour of the region that started in Iran in late November and continued in Egypt and Jordan.
He said the goal was to strengthen the ties and friendship with all major players in the region.
Not only is the situation in the region very complex, but the international community is more vulnerable security-wise and "Slovenians too must do more to strengthen our democratic institutions, all state institutions in the future," so that the country can maintain security and peace in case of any crises, Pahor said.
"With that said it is important to have friends all over the world and be economically as well as politically and socially strong, united, safe and stable at home."
Pahor paid the official visit to Turkey at the invitation of Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He also met Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman during his stay.
He wrapped up the visit today by laying a wreath at the site of the terrorist attack that shook the country a week ago. 44 people were killed in the attack outside a stadium in Istanbul, 36 of whom were police officers. Kurdish militant group TAK claimed claimed the attack.
Turkey was victim of another suicide bomber attack yesterday. The attack in Kayseri killed more than a dozen soldiers while 55 people, mostly soldiers, were injured.