Ambassador Ilkin On Condition Of Crew Members Of Hijacked Turkish Ships Off Somalia

UNITED NATIONS - Turkey's Permanent Ambassador to UN Baki Ilkin on Wednesday expressed concern over the condition of crew members of 2 Turkish trading vessels that were hijacked off Somali shores.
Ilkin stressed the need for a strong international cooperation to deal with pirates and robberies while addressing a meeting at UN Security Council.
Ilkin said Turkey expressed deep uneasiness over rise in number of kidnappings and armed robbery by pirates off Somali shores, "pirates still hold the two Turkish trading vessels," he added.
Ilkin said Turkey condemned brutal acts of the pirates posing a serious threat to international maritime security, adding "Turkey has sent a frigate to NATO forces within this scope."
Ilkin said Turkey would have a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council within two weeks, indicating that Turkey would continue to follow the developments closely.
(AY-MS)
(DIP)