Published October 22,2024
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The NATO secretary normal on Tuesday praised Türkiye for taking part in a “vital role” within the alliance’s southeastern flank and for offering capabilities to NATO as an entire, saying that it’s Ankara’s sovereign proper to work with BRICS companions.
“Let’s not forget that Türkiye is a very important ally in the alliance. It has one of the best-equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its part of the NATO geography. It provides a lot of capabilities to NATO as a whole,” Mark Rutte stated within the Estonian capital, Tallinn.
His remarks got here in response to a query about Türkiye’s ties with BRICS because the sixteenth summit of the intergovernmental group is underway in Russia’s Kazan.
Rutte expressed pleasure that Türkiye is, “for so many years now” an integral a part of the alliance. Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952.
Within the alliance of 32 nations, “there will always be debates,” he stated.
Pointing out that Ankara is working towards or with a number of the BRICS companions, Rutte underlined that Türkiye has “the sovereign right to do so that might lead to debates now and then, within bilaterally or within NATO.”
“But that doesn’t mean that Türkiye is not … it is still and it will always be, to my absolute conviction … very popular in NATO,” Rutte stated.
“So, we have to make sure that we make maximum use of each other, and we are so happy that they are an ally of ours,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated early Tuesday that his nation “sincerely” desires to enhance its cooperation with the BRICS group.
The leaders of BRICS nations are arriving in Kazan to participate within the group’s summit on Tuesday, with as many as 22 heads of state and 6 heads of worldwide organizations anticipated to attend.
Attending as a visitor, Erdoğan is because of arrive on Wednesday.
NATO TO GET UPDATES ON NORTH KOREAN TROOP DEPLOYMENT CLAIMS
Asked about “North Korean troops in Ukraine,” a declare that was talked about by Ukraine and South Korea not too long ago, the NATO chief stated that he had a cellphone dialog with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday.
He stated that South Korea will ship specialists to temporary NATO on this regard subsequent week.
“Then we will see whether North Korea is indeed, or not, supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. If that would be the case, if they would be sending troops to Ukraine, that would mark a significant escalation,” Rutte warned.
He went on to say that it could be “a significant escalation,” however added that at this second, he nonetheless can not verify the claims.
During a joint news convention with Rutte final week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that 10,000 North Korean troopers may be part of Russian forces preventing in Ukraine.
He additionally stated that in response to Ukrainian intelligence, it has info that North Korea despatched tactical personnel and officers to occupied Ukrainian territories.
The Ukrainian president’s remarks got here moments after Rutte stated NATO has “no evidence that North Korean soldiers are involved in the fight.”
South Korea on Friday additionally claimed that the North had despatched 1,500 troopers to Russia aboard navy ships on Oct. 8-13, to assist Moscow in its ongoing conflict towards Ukraine.
Rutte traveled to the Estonian capital metropolis of Tallinn to satisfy President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
On Wednesday, he together with Karis would handle troops at Tapa Army Base and in addition meet Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
Source: www.anews.com.tr