By Tevfik Durul and Tugcenur Yilmaz

ANKARA

There exists a very close cooperation between the security forces of Turkey and Georgia in the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Georgia despite the presence of the group's university there. 

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the 10th Ambassadors’ Conference in capital Ankara, Fatma Ceren Yazgan, the ambassador to Georgia said Turkish citizens could stay in Georgia up to a year with their ID card and that FETO members were abusing the situation.

The two countries must be vigilant against elements threatening strong bilateral relations, Yazgan said.

FETO still has its university in Georgia. FETO still wants to carry out its operations against Turkey via Georgia, she added.

"Unfortunately, the [Turkey's] expectations from the Georgian government on FETO have not yet been met. We want them to take a serious step at this point," said Yazgan.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.

Turkey accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.