Blaming NATO for France’s poor policy choices and growing strategic irrelevance is unfair to the longstanding alliance, said Turkey's communicat
Blaming NATO for France’s poor policy choices and growing strategic irrelevance is unfair to the longstanding alliance, said Turkey’s communications director on Friday.
“It is unfair to the French people as well,” Fahrettin Altun added in English on Twitter.
Implicitly slamming French President Emmanuel Macron for saying Turkey should not expect NATO support for its anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Altun said NATO can be more relevant and effective if its members work together.
“Every responsible member state and their leaders need to bring their suggestions for reform while pursuing common interest and security for all,” he wrote on Twitter.
“We can transform this organization that corresponds to the security challenges of our time,” Altun said.
He added that at every NATO leaders’ summit, Turkey puts forth recommendations and calls on its fellow members to understand Turkey’s national security concerns.
“Turkey has been a key member of the NATO alliance and played a crucial role since the beginning,” he wrote.
“As a staunch member continuing to perform our duties for the alliance, we will seek to improve the effectiveness and relevance of NATO,” Altun said.
NATO can be more relevant and effective if we work together.
To blame the organization for one’s own foreign policy challenges, poor policy choices, increasing strategic irrelevance, and domestic consideration is unfair to NATO.
It is unfair to the French people as well.
— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) November 28, 2019
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 the planned Syria safe zone.
But the terrorists have failed to withdraw from some areas and continue to attack both soldiers and civilians.
“Transatlantic alliance’s strength and effectiveness is key to the collective security and wellbeing of its member states,” wrote Altun.
“As every other international organization, NATO needs reforms and revisions over time. It’s the NATO members’ responsibility to guide this process,” he urged.