BRUSSELS (AA)

The Permanent Mission of Turkey to NATO held a ceremony at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels to commemorate the martyrs of the failed coup attempt in Turkey on the night of July 15, 2016.

Participants included staff from the Permanent Mission and the Turkish Military Representation, as well as Turkish citizens working in NATO's International and Military Staffs.

Photo: Permanent Mission of Turkey to NATO/AA

The ceremony began with a moment of silence for the martyrs, followed by the playing of the Turkish national anthem.

In a speech during the ceremony, Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Basat Öztürk, said that in the 10 years following the failed coup attempt, Turkey rebuilt its security in all areas with domestic resources, 'turning this into a global success story.'

Öztürk added: 'The progress Turkey has made in all areas and its pivotal role in European security have once again been recognized and confirmed by all our NATO allies.'

Turkey commemorates the failed coup attempt of 2016 every July 15, which resulted in the deaths of 253 people and injuries to more than 2,000 others. Ankara accuses the Gülenist organization of being behind it.