UPDATE – Those defending democracy side with democracy: Turkey

UPDATES WITH REMARKS OF ERDOGAN, MALTESE PRESIDENT</p> <p>By Sibel Ugurlu</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – Those who fight for democracy should side with those who are elected and champion democracy, Turkey's president said on Thursday, referring to the U.S. recognizing a Venezuelan opposition leader as interim president, rather than President Nicolas Maduro.</p> <p>&quot;If Maduro takes a tough stance… I believe the Venezuelan people will back their elected president,&quot; Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a joint news conference alongside visiting Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.</p> <p>&quot;If you do not respect election results, then this is not democracy, this is a totalitarian mindset,&quot; Erdogan added.</p> <p>On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president, escalating the ongoing feud between the U.S. and Maduro.</p> <p>Maduro quickly shot back, cutting off diplomatic relations with Washington and giving U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.</p> <p>On ties with the island nation, Erdogan said Turkey and Malta agreed to further enhance cooperation on culture, tourism, education, health, maritime, and particularly energy as well as regional issues. </p> <p>&quot;Visa-free travel to Europe and updating the Customs Union deal will affect our relations with Malta with more service, investment, and tourism,&quot; he said.</p> <p>He said Turkey hopes Malta will continue supporting Turkey in its relations with the European Union.</p> <p>Preca, for her part, said Malta would continue supporting Turkey's EU membership process, calling it a necessity for a prosperous Europe.