WASHINGTON
Spokesman of White House Jay Carney stated Thursday they were continuing to follow the Taksim Gezi Park incidents in Turkey with concern, and welcomed efforts to resolve the situation through democratic means.
We urge calm on all sides in recent events in Turkey, Carney stated in a daily press briefing, adding that Turkey was a close friend and ally of US.
"As we have said, we believe that Turkey's long-term stability, security and prosperity is best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association and a free and independent media. Turkey is a close friend and ally of the United States, and we expect the Turkish authorities to uphold these fundamental freedoms," Carney noted.
Adding there were no calls from the president to read out, Carney said there were communications. He added that Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken with his Turkish counterpart and told he was sure there had been other communications at different levels.
Besides, spokesperson for the United States Department of State Jen Psaki stated they welcomed efforts to ease tensions and encourage attempts, including the proposed referendum, which was also part of what happened overnight.
Psaki, upon a question on Turkey's Taksim Gezi Park incidents, said they welcomed the efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue, taking into account views from across the political spectrum.
"As we've said a couple of times, we continue to follow the events in Turkey very closely [...] We also call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid violence. We've seen these incidents, I've talked a couple of times over the last two weeks, of -- that have raised concerns. So we're continuing to follow that," Psaki told.
She added that they were troubled by any pressure against media outlets as a result of them performing the normal functions of a free press, saying they "have also seen that happening in recent days as well."
Psaki also stated she "thinks the most important thing here is for Turkey to respect the freedom of the media and the freedom of the press and not take actions that would contradict that."
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