Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 12
By Orkhan Quluzade – Trend:
Strengthening of ties between Turkey and Russia does not mean deterioration of the Ankara-NATO relations, Turkish Anadolu agency quoted the country’s Defense Minister Fikri Isik as saying Jan. 12.
The minister was addressing the 9th conference of Turkish ambassadors in Ankara.
Ankara is still committed to the strengthening of solidarity within NATO, he said.
“Turkey is abiding by all its commitments to NATO. The recent development of our relations with Russia doesn’t mean Turkey’s ties with NATO would be weakened,” the minister noted.
Isik further said Ankara’s criticism of NATO’s inactivity in honoring commitments is quite natural.
If the countries which sent their forces to the region to fight against the ‘Islamic State’ terrorist group (IS) do not support Ankara’s counterterrorism efforts, then Turkey’s negative reaction is quite natural, he explained.
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