Turkey, Cambodia ink security cooperation pact

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Tuesday signed a security cooperation agreement with his Cambodian counterpart Sar Kheng.

Delegations accompanying the ministers in the capital Ankara evaluated the fight against terrorism, irregular migration and drugs.

Soylu said the two nations were celebrating the 60th year of diplomatic relations.

"I believe that this visit will improve the relationship between the two countries," he added.

The Cambodian minister in a statement said he was thrilled to sign a security cooperation agreement with Turkey.

"Turkey over the years has been impressing us with its policies on development and security," Kheng said.

Soylu, in a statement after the signing ceremony, thanked the Cambodian government for its determined struggle against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated Turkey's defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit