Tbilisi, July 16, AZERTAC

Tbilisi condemns military coup attempt in neighboring Turkey and expresses support to democratically elected government, Georgian leaders said after an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), which has decided to impose “restrictions” on border with Turkey at least till Saturday morning, according to Civil Georgia.

“We want to express our support to the democratically elected government in Turkey, and personally to President Erdogan,” President Giorgi Margvelashvili said after the NSC meeting, which discussed developments in Turkey and their possible implications on Georgia.

“I am convinced that this destabilization will be overcome in the nearest future and our strategic partner and friendly country will get back to normal mode,” he said, who also called on the Georgian citizens to refrain from traveling to Turkey.

“We are following situation closely; stability in Turkey is important for us; it is also important Turkey to remain governed by the democratically elected government,” the Georgian President said.

PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili told journalists after NSC session that “potential threats that Georgia may face in this situation” were discussed.

“Of course it is very important for us that democratic development in our friendly country, Turkey, not to be endangered, and it is very important for us that the democratically elected government in Turkey not to be threatened with danger,” MP Kvirikashvili said. “Turkey is our strategic partner and stability in Turkey is very important for us.”

“Military coups are unacceptable for any democratic country,” the Georgian PM said.

“We have also discussed situation on the border [with Turkey]. Pursuant to the security of our citizens, we have decided to temporarily impose restrictions on the entry to Turkey for the Georgian citizens,” he said, adding that it would remain at least till Saturday morning when the authorities will review this decision depending on the situation by the time.