Rasmussen says Nato has plans to defend Turkey
Since the beginning of the conflict between Turkey and Syria NATO has extended its clear support for Turkey, for the first time.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Secretary General) said yesterday that Nato had its plans ready to protect Turkey (an ally member) in case of an aggression to come from Syria.
Turkey had long been awaiting a statement of this kind, especially after the undesired incidents in Akçakale which left several Turkish people dead – as well as other similar events in the same region.
In his statement, Rasmussen referred to bombs that kept pouring into Turkey from Syria and went on to confirm that Turkey could trust NATO’s solidarity. In fact, Turkey had a relif to receive much missed statement from the secretary that all Nato plans were ready to protect and defend Turkey.
The secretary did not fail to add he hoped it would not be necessary to put referred plans into practice and called on both sides to ease tensions in the region.
The motions passed by the Turkish parliament (granting the government to send troops to a foreign country in case of need) was interpreted by Rasmussen as “most natural right of Turkey to defend itself”.
09.10.2012
BTT
