Stoltenberg: NATO Not Part Of The Plans To Establish Safe Zone

The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg anounced that they give support to Turkey "as much as they can" regarding the fight against terror, however they are not a part of the attempts for establisihing a safe zone on the border.

Turkey has requested an extraordinary meeting with NATO ambassadors to discuss the threat of the ISIL and terrorist attack of extremist groups in Turkey for Article 4 consultations. After the meeting General Secretary Stoltenberg gave a brief press statement and said:

"We have discussed the recent developments after the terrorist attack to Turkey and confered the necessary measures of security. We stand in strong solidarity with our ally Turkey. We condemn the terror attacks and condole with the families of the victims in Suruç and soldiers and police officers killed after the terror attacks. Terrorism in all its forms can never be tolerated or justified. Terror is a threat to NATO countries and international peace and stability. Thus all of our allies are a part of the coalition fighting against ISIL"

In the beginning of his statement, Stoltenberg accentuated "Turkey's reason to request the meeting, in view of the serious security situation".

"Turkey did not demand any military support. The country has a competent military, which has the second largest army among our allies" added Stoltenberg.

"NATO is not part the efforts to establish a safe zone near the border" said NATO General Secretary, adding that the talks are pursued in a mutual negotiation between Turkey and the U.S.

Stolten highlighted that the NATO will keep following the developments in the region very closely, giving solidarity messages to their ally Turkey.

Erdoğan: NATO to announce they are ready to do their part

President Tayyip Erdoğan declared that he expected the NATO to give a statement announcing that they were ready to do their part, while departing for China earlier this morning.

"I expect that the first step will constitute of setting up a infrastructure; we have treated this issue at large; the fight against the DEASH particularly in Syria have great importance" he added.

"Establishing a security zone there would set up the infrastructure for 1.7 million Syrians in Turkey to return to their country. Turkey will exercise its rights to protect itself; the responsibilites will also fall to NATO at any moment. The NATO should be prepared too" urged Erdoğan.

Video Stream

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Stoltenberg's pres statement

A general image of the NATO meeting

DHA FEED - Brussels