ANKARA
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic on Friday called for "timely and fast information" to prevent foreigners to cross into Syria and Iraq to join militant groups.
"Timely and fast information is what we need," he told reporters in a weekly address to the press that came amid heightened media reporting over the three British students; Shamima Begum, 15; Amira Abase, 15; and Kadiza Sultana, 16, who left Bethnal Green Academy in east London last week for Turkey, reportedly in order to cross into Syria to join "terrorists."
"We know that they came to Turkey on Feb. 17," said Bilgic.
A British police team arrived in Turkey on Feb. 23 to assist investigations into the missing girls.
According to a British police statement, Metropolitan Police officers "are working closely with the Turkish authorities who are providing a great deal of assistance and support to our investigation."
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Monday that Turkey were alerted by the U.K. three days after the three left Britain.
The London-based independent advocacy group CAGE has said, "It was only on Friday [Feb. 20], three days after they left, that the wider public learned about this, so I think Turkey is probably right at pointing their finger at the British government for not doing enough."
Thomas-Johnson from CAGE said at least one of the girls was known to the British authorities, adding: "The onus is on the British government and British law enforcement to actually prevent these girls going."
The Turkish spokesman said intelligence sharing between the countries is highly important.
The girls were last seen at their home addresses in east London before they left their homes, reportedly lying to their families about where they would be out for the day.
The girls then travelled to the U.K.’s Gatwick airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight which departed for Istanbul, according to the British police’s Anti-Terrorism Police Unit statement released last week.
British Prime Minister David Cameron previously said, "What this incident has highlighted is the concerning situation where unaccompanied teenagers like these -- who are not a known risk -- can board a flight to Turkey without necessarily being asked questions by the airline."
"The procedures of Turkish Airlines are consistent with the international and national aviation authorities and British aviation security laws," Turkish Airlines said in a statement issued Friday in response to remarks by the British premier.
The statement added that Turkish Airlines allowed young passengers aged 12-18 to travel alone in accordance with the rules of the International Air Transport Association, the standard setting body in global airline industry.
According to the Guardian newspaper, the House of Commons will summon Turkish Ambassador in London Abdurrahman Bilgic and Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil for a session on March 10 "to give evidence about the problem of youngsters using Turkey as a route to Syria's battlefields."
"Our ambassador can make necessary notifications to the British government," said Bilgic, adding that Turkish envoy can inform the British government about Turkey's efforts in its fight against terrorism.
The British government estimates that up to 600 people have left Britain to go to Syria and Iraq.
More than 200 people were arrested last year on terrorism charges, according to British police.
