Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun stated that it was encouraging to hear statements from Sweden and Finland that they took Türkiye's security concerns seriously and said, "We hope that countries we regard as friends, such as Sweden and Finland, will take concrete and lasting measures to prevent the activities of terrorist organisations threatening Turkish citizens."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun addressed the participants with a video message at the panel titled "Ukraine Crisis and the Future of NATO" held by the Directorate of Communications in the Belgian capital of Brussels.
Noting that Türkiye has been a member of NATO since 1952 and undoubtedly remains committed to the Alliance, for which it is proud to provide all kinds of military, economic and diplomatic support throughout its 70-year membership, Director of Communications Altun noted that they were aware of the organisation's critical role in ensuring regional and global peace in the face of threats against the country's security.
Director of Communications Altun remarked that they supported the organisation's missions and operations and would continue to do so to maintain this vital role effectively.
Pointing out that Türkiye assumes a significant role within the alliance due to its significant geopolitical location, the fact that it has NATO's second-largest army, and the recent expansion of its defence industry and security capacity, Director of Communications Altun continued:
"Türkiye, which directly contributes to NATO missions in many countries from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Sudan, from Afghanistan to Kosovo, is among the member states that provide the greatest support to NATO's common budget and make the most considerable contribution to NATO operations. As a frontline country in the fight against PKK, DAESH, Al Qaeda, FETO and other terrorist organisations, as well as in the fight against irregular migration, human trafficking, hijacking and piracy, Türkiye fulfils its responsibilities for its national security and the security of the alliance. All of these contributions to NATO missions and the presence of strategic NATO assets on our soil are the clearest evidence of our unwavering commitment to the alliance."
Director of Communications Altun stated that NATO was the most dynamic and powerful security organisation today thanks to Türkiye's significant contributions and added that the enlargement of such an alliance organisation was unquestionably desirable, and Türkiye played a key role in the enlargement processes to date.
Pointing out that membership in such a critical alliance organisation as NATO will not only provide benefits for the candidate countries but also impose several responsibilities on them, Director of Communications Altun continued:
"It should not be forgotten that NATO membership is not a right that guarantees unconditional admission to every country but rather a privilege granted to countries that demonstrate their commitment to the principles of the alliance. For this reason, new candidates seeking to join the alliance are expected not to jeopardise the institutional identity and internal harmony of NATO, not to pose a threat to the legitimate security concerns of the member states in the alliance, and not to support terrorist organisations that threaten member states. These are the minimum requirements to be met for both current enlargement requests and future admissions."
"Türkiye will continue its unwavering fight against terrorism"
Director of Communications Altun stressed that Türkiye would continue to provide the alliance with unwavering support in the face of threats against the alliance, as it did in the past and said:
"However, it is our most fundamental right to expect from the countries to which we have pledged assistance in the event of a potential war, not to support terrorist organisations that target our citizens, and not to tolerate anti-Türkiye activities by these organisations such as spreading propaganda, providing funding and recruiting militants. Türkiye can only take a dim view of countries that failed to take a firm stance against the terrorist organisations, which killed many of our citizens with their terrorist attacks in Türkiye, and even tolerated the activities of these organisations in their countries, let aside taking measures. This position of principle adopted by Türkiye is essential for both maintaining NATO's effectiveness and the future of the alliance, as well as eliminating Türkiye's security threats.
Türkiye will continue its unwavering fight against the PKK and DAESH threats based in our bordering countries, Iraq and Syria, the DHKP-C terrorist organisation that carried out a suicide attack on the American Embassy in Ankara in 2013, and the FETO, which attempted a coup against the elected government in 2016 and killed 251 of our citizens during this attempt. It is a legitimate and vital demand of our country that some of these organisations cease their activities against Türkiye in European capitals with which we will establish relations as allies."
"We hope that FETO's black propaganda will not be welcomed in countries we consider to be our friends"
Director of Communications Altun made the following statements in his message:
"It is encouraging to hear statements from Sweden and Finland that they take Türkiye's security concerns seriously. We hope that countries with whom we have had historically close ties and regard as friends, such as Sweden and Finland, will take concrete and lasting measures to prevent the activities of terrorist organisations threatening Turkish citizens. We hope that the black propaganda by FETO members to disrupt our relations with our allies will not be welcomed in countries we consider to be our friends. We hope that we will no longer come across Swedish-made AT-4 anti-tank weapons in our counter-terrorism operations against the PKK and that PKK members will never again display their so-called banners in Stockholm and publicly make propaganda for the terrorist organisation."
Director of Communications Altun emphasised, "Türkiye is ready to develop cooperation and alliance relations within NATO and on all other international platforms with friendly countries that do not support or host terrorist organisations posing a threat to Türkiye's national security," and stated that Türkiye's commitment to the future of NATO and the responsibilities it assumed as a stabilising power should be accurately interpreted by both alliance members and countries currently seeking to join the organisation.
Director of Communications Altun added that Türkiye was always ready to collaborate with these countries to make the world a safer place.