NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorism

All NATO members are committed to fight terrorism, NATO’s secretary general said on Wednesday.

“All Allies remain committed to the fight against ISIS and our training mission in Iraq and the training mission in Afghanistan,” Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference after the NATO leaders’ summit in London.

He reiterated that an attack on any member state will be seen as an attack on all members.

“We stand together, all for one, and one for all. Our commitment to Article 5, the collective defense clause of our alliance, is ironclad,” said Stoltenberg.

The meeting also discussed Russia and issues related to arms control, said the NATO chief.

“We are committed to strong deterrence and defense, while remaining open to meaningful dialogue with Russia,” he said.

“NATO is responding to Russia’s deployment of intermediate-range, nuclear capable missiles in a defensive and coordinated way. And we remain committed to strengthening effective arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation,” he added.

EU Commission aims at honest conversations with Turkey

The European Commission is preparing to hold “honest conversations” with Turkey under the fresh chairmanship, the president of EU body said on Wednesday.The EU has serious issues to discuss with Turkey, including respect for international law, Ursula von der Leyen, the new president of European Commission, told reporters following the first meeting of the College of Commissioners.Von der Leyen also highlighted the importance of the refugee deal inked between Turkey and the EU in 2016.She confirmed that Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, in charge of promoting the European Way of Life, and Ylva Johansson, a commissioner for Home Affairs, will travel to Turkey on Friday to discuss migration with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismThe visit is supposed to reinforce the cooperation between the EU and Turkey after last month’s diplomatic tensions, when Erdogan talked about the possibility of suspending the 2016 deal after the EU condemned the Turkish military operation in northern Syria.“I want it to be a geopolitical commission,” von der Leyen said about the EU’s foreign and trade policy.She declined to say if the EU is willing to announce tariffs on import from the U.S. but called for a well-prepared meeting with the transatlantic partner and better coordination between the EU’s external and internal policies.She also expressed hope that Albania and North Macedonia will soon be given the chance to start accession negotiations with the EU, but acknowledged that France had legitimate reasons to seek revision of the accession process.‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpUS senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsNevertheless, she called the outcome of EU leaders’ summit in October “a strategic mistake,” where French President Emmanuel Macron did not give the green light for the start of accession talks with the two Balkan countries.In her readout of the college meeting, von der Leyen also expressed her commitment towards a “European Defense Union,” and stressed the importance of investing in the bloc’s defense capacities so that the EU can defend itself if necessary.Von der Leyen’s first official visit outside the EU will be in Ethiopia. She will travel to Addis Ababa on Friday to meet representatives of the African Union.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’

Turkey urged to lead fight against all discrimination

Turkey as a Muslim state must be at the forefront of the global fight against every kind of discrimination, prejudice and racism, not only for the sake of Muslims, but for all mankind, the founder and CEO of a prominent U.K.-based research and advisory group said Wednesday.Speaking at an event where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met representatives of the Turkish and Muslim communities in the U.K., Anas Altikriti said “the plight of many Muslim societies, communities and minorities living under a state of oppression, discrimination, occupation and subjugation around the world is unacceptable.”Altikriti said many campaigns in the U.K. work to lift those conditions, and Turkey is notable for its support for many of those cases and its efforts in standing by the Palestinians, Syrians, Libyans, Yemenis, Rohingya, Kashmiris, Uyghurs, and countless others are recognized and deeply appreciated beyond the nations of Muslims.“However, much more needs to be done, particularly in upholding the values of human rights, democracy, freedom and justice, and with Turkey’s ascendency on the global stage of economic, manufacturing and industrial success come the responsibilities which you are undoubtedly well aware of.”PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMMacron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’- IslamophobiaA recent initiative by President Erdoğan to advocate and promote true Islam around the world could not have come at a better time, Altikriti said.He reminded those attending the event that Erdoğan had recently announced a new initiative to advocate and promote true Islam around the world, “the Islam which the overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world understand and exhibit every single day of their lives.”Altikriti praised the timing of the initiative, pointing out the proximity of the event’s venue to the location of a recent terrorist attack in London.“We are gathered here right now only a few steps away from London Bridge, where a terrorist attack took place only a few days ago, and from which we as a Muslim community and a British society are challenged to emerge stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of the values that govern both our faith as well as our human collective.“If anything, the messages sent by the families of the two victims as well as the family of the culprit show that we are indeed on course to achieving that,” he said.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorismTurkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London“Islamophobia is an issue which ravages and challenges our society today.“Both on the rhetorical as well as on the physical levels, callous acts, incidents and crimes driven by the ignorance and hatred of Islam and Muslims are at record levels. While figures and heroes of the British Muslim community continue to fight the manifestations of this disease within our political and media structures, the rise and expansion of extremist rhetoric on both sides of the spectrum poses an existential danger to the safety, security and future prospects of all of society.”Pointing out that Islamophobia is a disease that travels as fast as the fastest broadband internet and satellite connection and that it recognizes no borders, Altikriti also said that many Islamophobes in the U.K. find inspiration in extremists across the borders in Europe, North America and elsewhere and vice versa.“This year’s massacre of 51 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand is but one tragic example. Moreover, Islamophobia today finds footing within Muslim states and regimes and their exertions are often used as cover and justification for the racists and extremists around the world.”Altikriti also said in his speech that British Muslims lead in campaigns, platforms, groups associations and organizations which collectively represent and indeed enact Islam in all facets of British life.“They together present the pure form of Islam and exhibit the sublime humane values which our faith ordains in an attempt to make a better, more prosperous, more caring and more responsible Britain. Their contributions are recognized, and not a single corner of British life operates without the input of Muslims,” he said.“You are an inspiration to many, and Turkey under your leadership has gained countless friends from around the world,” Altikriti told Erdoğan.“We pray for you and we pray for Turkey.”

-China, Afghanistan, S-400s

Stoltenberg said that the alliance also discussed the rise of China for the first time.

“Leaders agreed we need to address this together as an Alliance. And that we must find ways to encourage China to participate in arms control arrangements,” he said.

He also said that the Alliance closely follows and supports peace talks in Afghanistan.

“We believe that we need political negotiation, a solution in Afghanistan,” he added.

On Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, the NATO chief said that the S-400 will not be integrated into NATO systems and will “stand alone.”

“That’s a natural Turkish decision. Many allies have expressed concerns, I also expressed my concerns about the consequences of that decision,” Stoltenberg said. “What I can say is that a Russian air defense system S-400 will never be integrated into NATO.”

Trump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau “two-faced” when asked by a reporter about Trudeau’s jokes apparently at his expense.”He’s two-faced,” said Trump, near the end of a two-day NATO summit in London, when asked about Trudeau’s private remarks a day earlier in an informal conversation with the leaders of France and U.K. which were caught by microphones and went viral.However, he lost no time in calling Trudeau a “nice guy.”‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpEU Commission aims at honest conversations with TurkeyTurkey urged to lead fight against all discriminationTrump also said he had criticized Canada for not living up to NATO’s spending goals.”The truth is I called him out on the fact that he’s not paying 2% and I guess he’s not very happy about it,” Trump said, adding “he should be paying 2%” and that Canada “has money.”Trump was referring to national defense spending as a percentage of NATO’s member state GDP, a frequent bugbear for the U.S. leader.”I can imagine he’s not that happy, but that’s the way it is,” added Trump.Trump’s remarks on the Canadian leader came only a day after he slammed French leader Emmanuel Macron over the NATO “brain dead” comment last month, calling it “insulting, very disrespectful.”Since taking office, Trump has gained a reputation for alienating NATO allies and disrupting meetings of the alliance.On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Trump also gave a luncheon to eight other countries that commit 2% of their GDP to NATO.PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismMacron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’- ‘Security risk’During the meetings, Trump said he urged NATO allies to avoid using the 5G services of Chinese telecom Huawei.“I do think it’s a security risk, it’s a security danger,” Trump told reporters amid an escalating trade war between U.S. and China.“And I spoke to Italy and they look like they are not going to go forward with that. I spoke to other countries, they are not going to go forward. Everybody I’ve spoken to is not going to go forward,” Trump said.In a summit declaration, NATO itself said: “NATO and Allies, within their respective authority, are committed to ensuring the security of our communications, including 5G, recognizing the need to rely on secure and resilient systems.”The declaration was interpreted as lack of agreement over Huawei among member states.Cancelling his NATO press conference, Trump also said he will be heading directly back to Washington.”When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won’t be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days,” Trump said on Twitter.‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpUS senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsErdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism

PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday the terrorist threat from the PKK to Turkey was recognized during a quartet meeting with Turkish, French and German leaders.Speaking at a press conference following the NATO summit in London, Johnson said he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a “good” meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Tuesday.“We discussed the great complexity of the situation in northern Syria,” Johnson said.Turkey urged to lead fight against all discriminationTrump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismJohnson said they “clearly recognized the huge pressure Turkey faces” from 4 million refugees it is accommodating and “the terrorist threat from the PKK.”“That must be acknowledged a real threat that Turkey faces,” the premier urged.Johnson said Turkey’s plans in northern Syria must be understood and “we must avoid any misunderstandings between allies within NATO.”“We have agreed to continue to those talks,” he added.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to TrumpUS senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsTurkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned Syria safe zone.Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’

In April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defense system from the U.S. proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 shield.

Opposing deployment of the Russian system, U.S. officials claimed that they would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose its F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

Turkey, however, stressed that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems, and poses no threat to the alliance or its armaments.

-Baltics, terrorist YPG/PKK

A defense plan for the Baltics have been adopted, but proposals to designate the YPG/PKK group as terrorist were not discussed extensively, said Stoltenberg.

“Today we have agreed to the updated plan for the Baltic countries and Poland. So I welcome that. And it shows that we are able to also move forward and update and revise plans, including the defense plans, for the Baltic countries and Poland as we do today,” he said.

“It’s well known that there are different views among NATO allies on how to designate YPG and PYD, the Kurdish groups in Syria that’s publicly known. It was not addressed specifically in the meeting today, but it is an issue which has been discussed, among NATO allies, and it’s widely known that there are different views on that,” he added.

“But we all agree on the importance of not jeopardizing the gains we made in the fight against terrorism,” he emphasized.

‘Two-faced’ Trudeau offers no apology to Trump

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not apologize Wednesday for remarks that seemed to mock U.S. President Donald Trump at a NATO meeting in London.In a viral video which saw Trudeau and a few other leaders, including U.K.’s Boris Johnson, France’s Emmanuel Macron and the Queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, gossiping about Trump — led to Trump calling Trudeau “two-faced.”It was shot at Buckingham Palace, Tuesday, and in the group of leaders, Johnson asked Macron why he was late.Trump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismTrudeau made a joke saying the French president was late because he attended what was supposed to be a short news conference with Trump.“He was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top,” Trudeau quipped.When reporters asked Trudeau about his remarks caught on the video, he said he merely informed other leaders of Trump’s announcement that the next G7 meeting would be at Camp David in the U.S.Trump, however, took a different interpretation when he heard the video remarks.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters comments“Well, he’s two-faced,” the president said Wednesday, responding to Trudeau apparently referencing Trump’s long and unplanned news conference with Macron.Trump said Trudeau’s gossiping was likely a result of being pressed on not meeting Canada’s NATO defence spending goal of 2% of gross domestic product.The closest Trudeau came to mentioning his video remarks contained no reference to his quip about Trump.“Last night, I made a reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference before my meeting with President Trump and I was happy to take part of it but it was certainly notable,” he said.When reporters continued to ask about the remarks, Trudeau offered no apology nor did he say he had discussed the video with Trump.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’

US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters comments

U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron for his “cavalier” remarks on European Deash/ISIS fighters.”Very disturbed by the cavalier remarks made by President Macron about how the number of European ISIS fighters in Syria is a small problem in the grand scheme of things,” Graham said on Twitter.Graham’s rebuke came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Macron over the repatriation of Daesh/ISIS terror group fighters currently held in northeastern Syria.Trump calls Canada’s Trudeau ‘two-faced’PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMSpeaking to reporters during a NATO leaders summit in London, Trump criticized Europe’s reluctance to take back its nationals, saying foreign fighters detained in Syria “are mostly from Europe.”He then turned to Macron and asked if the French president would “like some nice ISIS fighters?””I can give them to you. You can take every one you want,” Trump said before Macron quickly rebuffed the U.S. president, saying “let’s be serious.””A very large number of fighters you have on the ground are fighters coming from Syria, Iraq and the region,” Macron said. “It’s true that you have foreign fighters coming from Europe, but this is a tiny minority of the overall problem that you have in the region.”NATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismMacron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’Graham said there are hundreds of European Daesh fighters imprisoned in Syria and said the Paris and Nice attacks in France were carried out by “a handful of ISIS fighters.”In 2015, a coordinated armed attack took place in Paris, killing 130 people and wounding 368 others. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.In Nice, a French-Tunisian man drove a truck into crowds celebrating France’s National Day in Nice in 2016, killing 84 people.”President Trump is right to insist Europeans come up with a legal system based on the reality we are fighting a war — not a crime,” said Graham.”It is time for NATO to look at a detention system to deal with enemy combatants rather than using the traditional criminal justice system (which is ill-equipped to fight a war.),” he added.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’Turkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London

NATO leaders have decided to meet again in 2021,” said Stoltenberg.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

Reluctant to back NATO defense plans for Poland and the Baltics ahead of the summit, Turkey took issue with the alliance’s failure to recognize the threat it faces in northern Syria from the YPG/PKK terror group along its southern border.

“NATO must act in a way that will meet the concerns of all allies. What is wanted for the Baltics should be wanted for us too,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.

Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorism

Turkey’s president on Wednesday condemned those who use the word ‘Islam’ as an adjective to describe terrorism.“Islam is a religion of peace,” Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during an event at a venue in east London organized by the AK Party’s UK branch presidency where he and First Lady Emine Erdogan met representatives of the Turkish community following a NATO summit in London.Underlining that racism, discrimination, anti-Semitism and hostility towards Islam have recently increased in Europe, Erdoğan said far-right movements are mostly targeting Muslims and the Turkish community.“The last European Parliament elections have once again demonstrated that identity politics is becoming increasingly dominant in Europe,” he said, adding the media and some politicians have deepened these prejudices with their irresponsible statements.PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismErdoğan also touched on Turkey’s fight against terrorism.“Those who think they can discipline Turkey with terrorism and blackmail are embarrassed after failing to achieve their target.”He added that Turkey is “independent in its foreign policy” and does not seek approval of operations for its own security.Turkey will not leave the Operation Peace Spring area in northern Syria until it is cleared of terrorists, he underscored.Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsIn its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Erdoğan also underlined that Turkey currently hosts more than four million Syrians who took refuge within its borders.Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed and millions more displaced by the conflict.He also criticized the EU for failing to fulfill its pledge to financially support Turkey for refugees it hosts.On bilateral relations between Turkey and the U.K., Erdoğan said the deep-rooted cooperation between the two countries is developing day by day and is getting stronger by acquiring new dimensions.He stressed that the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and the U.K. reached $18.6 billion in 2018.‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’Turkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London

‘Turkey’s borders are NATO’s borders’

Multiple threats Turkey faces from international terrorist groups should be considered threats against NATO as well, the country’s communications director reiterated early Thursday following a NATO summit in London.“We must be on the same page about something as simple as identifying a terror organization,” Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.Altun stressed that some of Turkey’s allies have supported, promoted and legitimized the PKK/YPG terror group, which recruits children, conducts ethnic cleansing and forces the migration of civilians.Altun underlined that the PKK/YPG must be treated for what they are: a “murderous terrorist organization” and a “threat to regional and international security.”PKK terrorism a ‘real threat’ to Turkey, says UK PMNATO reiterates commitment to fight against terrorismPraising Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Altun said that close to 400,000 Syrians have returned to their country thanks to Operation Peace Spring.“Our military operations are not only about fighting terrorists but establishing the conditions for the safe return of Syrians and ensuring stability in the region,” he said.Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from a planned Syrian safe zone.Macron says quartet London summit on Syria ‘very useful’US senator slams Macron on Daesh fighters commentsAnkara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Altun also underlined that NATO needs a strategy to address the “increasingly complex challenges of our time.”“We often find issues of terrorism, refugees, regional strategy all wrapped up together to pose security threats to our alliance,” Altun said, adding this reality must be recognized for a stronger alliance.Altun also shared data about Turkey’s NATO defense spending.Turkey’s defense spending has reached 1.89% of its GDP with a 53% increase over the past five years, according to data he shared.“We’ll reach 2% by 2024 as was agreed in Wales Summit,” Altun said.He also stressed that Turkey has 1,200 service members participating in various NATO missions.Erdoğan condemns associating Islam with terrorismTurkish First Lady meets MPs, Somali diaspora in London