U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Turkish PM Binali Yildirim had a phone conversation during which the sides confirmed the importance of strategic relations between the U.S. and Turkey, White House reported.

Joe Biden reiterated that the U.S. strongly condemns the attempted coup against the democratically elected government of Turkey.

“(Biden) expressed his unyielding support for Turkish democracy and praised the Turkish people's commitment to democratic institutions. The vice president urged that the investigations into the coup's perpetrators be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule on law,” it said in a statement.

The Vice President emphasized that the United States stands ready to provide assistance to Turkish authorities conducting their investigation into the coup attempt, and that our legal experts are prepared to work with their counterparts on this matter.  The two leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen the ongoing cooperation in the counter-ISIL coalition.