Turkey's contribution to anti-terror coalition important to paramount: Turkey’s NATO rep
By Aynur Karimova
Mr. Mehmet Fatih Ceylan, Permanent Representative of Turkey to NATO, tells AzerNews about Turkey's contribution to anti-terror operations in the Middle East and Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in the military field.
Q.: Ankara has recently announced threats to its southeastern border and has begun an anti-terror campaign. How can you evaluate the current scale of threats of terror to Turkey?
A.: The fight against terrorism, an act which can be justified in no way, is a priority issue concerning national security.
Displaying tolerance to terrorism, which targets the democratic structure, public order, peace and stability of our country, fundamental rights and freedoms of our people, our nation's unity, solidarity and fraternity, is impossible and out of the question.
Turkey is committed to combating all forms of terrorism. The coordination and cooperation of the international community for the effective fight against terrorism is of critical importance.
Q.: May we expect the expansion of operations by the anti-terror coalition?
A.: Instability followed after skirmishes in our southern borders is portraying serious security problems for Turkey.
Our country, which is embracing civilians fleeing the conflict, in fact takes efforts to reduce the effects of the human drama.
The Daesh (ISIS) terrorist organization has been on Turkey's terror list since 2013. Unfortunately, until recently many countries have been unaware of the existence and the threat that this organization poses.
In fact, Turkey contributed to the ‘International Coalition against Daesh’ that exists in Iraq and Syria for almost a year and involves more than 60 countries, with its national opportunities and capabilities.
Turkey together with the Netherlands is co-chairing the working group, which has been created within the "Foreign Terrorist Warriors" Coalition.
The decision made to further deepen the existing cooperation with the Coalition to fight against Daesh was made public in a statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 24.
At the end of August, our aircraft began to perform joint air strikes together with warplanes of the Coalition. In this context, our country opened several bases to aircraft from the Coalition.
Q.: Does Turkey plan to appeal to NATO to expand operations? Is it possible for NATO to be involved in these operations?
A.: The borders of Turkey are also NATO's borders. The unity and solidarity of the Alliance is certainly of critical importance.
In accordance with our appeal, the NATO Council assembled on July 28 within the framework of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This is an important manifestation of the solidarity of the Alliance.
Terrorism is also a direct threat to the security of NATO member-states. In this context, NATO is already a part of the fight against Daesh. One should keep in mind that all the allies are the parts of the Coalition as well.
We have not made any appeal [to NATO] in this regard so far.
Q.: Is Turkey able to lead the anti-terror operations in the region under the auspices of NATO?
A.: The anti- terror operations held in the territory of Syria and Iraq against Daesh are being conducted by the U.S.-led Coalition. In this context, our country's contribution to the Coalition is an important part of the combat against Daesh.
Q.: Turkey and Azerbaijan, as close partners and strategic allies, have excellent cooperation in military drills. Azerbaijan also serves in NATO operations within Turkey's military contingent. Based on the relatively long cooperation, how can Turkey assist Azerbaijan in improving the military experience of the Azerbaijani Army?
A.: The unity of faith and strong feelings of solidarity formed within the framework of our shared history and culture, based on an unshakable brotherhood, has allowed us to establish a comprehensive and multidimensional strategic partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The military relationship is one of the most important directions of this sustainable strategic partnership, which we are keen to deepen through mutual efforts. Joint military exercises, which is one of the signs of the close relationship between our two countries, and improvement of the joint planning and combat readiness capabilities of the Armed Forces of Turkey and Azerbaijan provide significant benefits in terms of coordination and the development of interoperability. Indeed, another important direction of our military partnership includes the expert-consultant support and cooperation in the defense industry.
Fraternal Azerbaijan is among the close partners of NATO and is a member of NATO's most comprehensive partnership framework, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, and is also a founding member of NATO's first partnership arrangement, the "Partnership for Peace" program. In this context, Azerbaijan, one of the countries that have made significant contributions to NATO's partnership policy from the first days, has participated in NATO's already completed ISAF operation in Afghanistan, and is participating in the currently ongoing RSM mission. Azerbaijan is also among the members of the Interoperability Platform created in the Wales Summit in 2014. The participation of Azerbaijani troops in NATO operations within Turkey's military contingent ensures the two countries' contribution to peace and stability in the world and intensifies the concept of interoperability between the troops of the two brotherly countries in accordance with NATO standards.
--
Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz