Rasmussen: "We need Turkey's voice in NATO"

Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen said yesterday that he considered Turkey as a loyal ally that carries critical importance. In reply to questions from the Turkish media at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Rasmussen stressed the key role which was played by Turkey during the Cold War as a neighbor of the Soviet Union. "We are in a new security climate following the Cold War and the latest developments indicate that Turkey could play a crucial role. What is happening in North Africa and the Middle East shows how strong a role Turkey could play. Aside from its geographic location, Turkey's historic, cultural and religious ties to the region will make Turkey play a vital role," Rasmussen said, adding that he has been maintaining considerably productive dialogues with Turkish leaders. "I do know that Turkey is strongly attached to our alliance and I appreciate Turkey's contributions to NATO operations. Turkey has made great contributions to NATO operations in the Balkans, Libya and Afghanistan. Turkey has made its territory available for a NATO missile defense system. Turkey has an important role in the alliance. Turkey will continue to play an important role for the security of the European Atlantic region. Within this frame, we need Turkey's voice in NATO," Rasmussen stressed. In reply to a question on the Cyprus issue, Rasmussen said, "NATO-EU ties could be carried further before the Cyprus issue gets resolved. I propose that the EU signs a security agreement with Turkey and admits Turkey into the European Defense Agency as a full member and, in return, Turkey accepts that the EU includes the Greek Cypriot side as one of its 27 members." Rasmussen added that NATO had no plans for an intervention in Iran or Syria and called the Tehran administration to act in conformity with its international obligations and the Damascus regime to meet the legitimate demands of its people. Rasmussen is set to visit Turkey soon on the occasion of Turkey's 60 years in the alliance.