(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, July 18 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry met here Monday with the 28 EU foreign ministers and discussed the latest developments in Turkey, the situation in Syria, Libya, Palestine and the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS).
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting both Kerry and Mogherini called on Turkey "to respect the rule of law, the constitution and human rights" when dealing with the situation after the failed coup in the country on Friday.
"We call for the full observance of Turkey's constitutional order and we as EU stress the importance of the rule of law prevailing in the country," said Mogherini and added that no country can become an EU member state if it introduces the death penalty.
The two sides also discussed the fight against terrorism after what happened in Nice, the US, Asia and the Middle East, she said.
"This will also be on the agenda in the meeting of the global coalition against Daesh (the IS) in Washington this week," said the EU foreign policy chief.
The EU and US are working closely to try to re-start the talks on Syria in Geneva and noted that the EU is ready to even support more the transition process in Syria.
They also had a "good exchange" of views on Libya and on the Middle East Peace Process," she added.
On his part, Kerry described his first meeting with the EU Foreign Affairs Council as "very constructive".
He stressed that the EU-US partnership is "strong today and will remain strong in the future." "We are all united in the fighting back against terror and we are united today in the wake of last week's horrific attack in Nice," he said.
Kerry described Turkey as an NATO ally and a key partner of the EU and said the US stands squarely on the side of the elected government in Turkey.
"But we also firmly urge the government of Turkey to maintain calm and stability throughout the country and uphold the highest standards for the respect of the nation's democratic institutions and the rule of law," he added.
Kerry said Turkey has not formally requested the "extradition" of the Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen who is based in the US. Turkey has accused Gulen of masterminding the failed coup.
He said the meeting also discussed the next steps to take in support of the government of national accord in Libya and how to support the government in the fight against the IS. (end) nk.rk