Turkey, as the NATO summit in Vilnius showed, will continue to be a strong partner of the alliance in addressing common security challenges, including the geographical expansion of the bloc, said Fahrettin Altun, head of the Turkish presidential administration’s communications department.
“Turkey is actively engaged in confronting emerging challenges by supporting NATO’s strategic orientation. In the future, Turkey will continue to be a staunch ally and a crucial partner in the alliance’s new initiatives,” he wrote in an article for Middle East Eye magazine.
He added: “Turkey believes that the expansion of the alliance is the key to lasting peace and stability in the world.”
The official clarified, however, that Turkey supports NATO’s geographical expansion “not against a specific country, but to turn the alliance into a comprehensive security organization that will help achieve stability.”
Alutn said that Turkey, which controls the geographic land bridge between East and West and the waterways to the Black Sea, “it is crucial to be in the Western camp.”
“Turkey’s long and deep commitment to NATO has protected Europe. Its continued engagement is vital to the security of the continent,” he wrote.
The official assured that “Ankara will continue to be NATO’s partner in addressing the alliance’s common challenges,” adding that this will be done “in accordance with its national security requirements.”
