Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 21
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
Turkey does not intend to sever relations with NATO after the recent incident during the exercises in Norway, the Turkish media cited Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for the Turkish president, as saying Nov. 21.
Kalin added that Turkey demands thorough investigation of that incident.
The mentioned incident took place during the NATO exercises in Norway. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the country withdrew its servicemen from participation because photos of Turkey’s incumbent president, as well as first president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk were placed as conditional enemy images on the shooting range.
Erdogan added that such behavior does not correspond to the spirit of cooperation and alliance between Turkey and NATO.
The Turkish president said that around 40 Turkish servicemen were to participate in the exercises.
“It is time to reconsider the issue of Turkey's membership in NATO,” Yalcin Topcu, chief advisor to the Turkish president said earlier while commenting on the incident between NATO and Turkey.
“The Turkish parliament must consider the issue of Ankara's membership in NATO as soon as possible,” he said.
Moreover, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg apologized to Turkey in connection with the scandal that occurred during the NATO exercises.
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