Politics
11:04, 19-Nov-2017
NATO chief apologizes to Erdogan over 'enemy chart' incident
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NATO's secretary general has apologized to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his name appeared on an "enemy chart" at the alliance's drills in Norway, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
It said that Jens Stoltenberg told Erdogan during a phone call that an inquiry into the incident had begun and the contracted Norwegian technician involved was fired immediately.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on November 7. /Reuters Photo
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on November 7. /Reuters Photo
Stoltenberg is said to have stressed that Turkey is an important ally for NATO and he would take all necessary precautions to prevent such an incident from happening again.
The NATO chief hoped the scandal would not have negative impact on relations between NATO and Turkey.
On Friday, Turkey announced it would withdraw 40 Turkish troops from the exercise in Norway after Erdogan's name and the picture of Turkish Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk were used in an "enemy chart."
Stoltenberg had previously apologized to Turkey in a written statement on Friday as well as to the Turkish military chief during a face-to-face meeting in Canada.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. /Reuters Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. /Reuters Photo
"Turkey's alliance with NATO should not be undermined," Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar said on Saturday at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada.
"NATO administrators responded timely and appropriately. We should not allow anyone to undermine our alliance and our solidarity," he said.
(Top image: File photo)
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency