The Atlantic Council strongly condemns the violence that occurred involving protestors and Turkish security personnel Tuesday evening outside an event that the Council was co-hosting for Turkish President Erdoğan.  

The Atlantic Council has a 55-year history of promoting free speech, peaceful protest and civil dialogue to address global challenges. The Council frequently convenes small, off-the-record sessions such as the one for President Erdoğan, at which he fielded questions that addressed issues ranging from international to domestic challenges.

Atlantic Council events never endorse a particular speaker but provide an independent platform for leaders to participate in candid conversations. The proper authorities will determine what, if any, actions should be taken in response to the violence. Such behavior only detracts from the Council’s foundational mission of promoting constructive US leadership alongside friends and allies to secure the future.

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