Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yıldız urged MIKTA countries to be vigilant against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which was behind the failed July 15 coup attempt and stressed that there is no difference between FETÖ and other terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida and Daesh. MIKTA, a consultative informal forum that brings together the countries of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, was launched at an inaugural meeting of the foreign ministers of the five nations in September 2013, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.Speaking at the 8th MIKTA Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sydney, Australia on Nov. 25, Deputy Foreign Minister Yıldız said that terrorist groups pose a direct threat to Turkey's national security and Ankara is "fighting all of them." Bringing up Turkey's efforts in the fight against Daesh, Yıldız said that Turkey has made significant contributions to the international coalition and that recently Ankara initiated Operation Euphrates Shield to help the Syrian opposition against Daesh. "We have cleared Daesh from over 1,700 square kilometers of territory. Now, it is important that the liberated areas remain a "terrorist-free zone." We will continue to support the opposition until Daesh is eliminated," he said.Commenting on the failed July 15 coup attempt, which was staged by FETÖ, Yıldız said that Turkey has taken all the necessary measures within the law to avoid a similar attempt in the future while thanking MIKTA countries for their solidarity. "However, we all need to be vigilant against FETÖ because this is a terror network that is active worldwide. They use business connections, educational institutions and media outlets to finance their illegal operations and recruit new members," Yıldız said.