A panel discussion on the report of the NATO Reflection Group titled "NATO 2030: United for a New Era" was organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications.
The panel dated February 18, 2021, which marks the 69th anniversary of Turkey's accession to NATO, was held within the scope of the "WeAreNATO" communication campaign under the coordination of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in Turkey.
In the video message screened at the opening of the panel held at the Izmir Regional Office of the Directorate, Presidency's Director of Communication Prof Fahrettin Altun stated that one of the most remarkable among the 138 recommendations in the report titled "NATO 2030: United for a New Era" was the call for "updating the strategic concept".
Considering that recommendation useful, but expressing that it was clear that the challenges the alliance faced would not go away by updating the strategic concept, Altun said, "It is our collective responsibility and obligation to promote unity, solidarity, and harmony among allies."
Stressing out that threats that allies issued against each other and the rhetoric of politicians in certain member countries, which downplayed NATO's function, served no purpose other than undermining the alliance's collective power, Altun stated that they wanted NATO to serve as a key platform to address transatlantic issues as well as to resolve disputes between allies.
"With the accession of Turkey, NATO has gained the upper hand"
Expressing that Turkey joined NATO on that day, 69 years ago, in light of threats to its national security, before and after World War II, and with an eye on the potential contributions of NATO membership to its democracy, development, and modernisation, Altun said, as a result of Turkey's admission, NATO gained the upper hand to put an end to the Cold War as the winner.
Director of Communications Altun said, "Our troops deployed to distant lands to defend our alliance's values. Our countrymen lost their lives in Korea for that cause. Over the years, Turkey became NATO's second-largest standing army and one of the top five contributors to NATO missions and operations, among the four allies contributing early warning and air-to-air refuelling aircraft and also one of eight top contributors to NATO's budget."
Recalling that earlier this year, Turkey took charge of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) – known as the 'tip of NATO's spear', Altun said, "The Turkish Armed Forces thus contribute 4,200 troops to a total force of 6,400. We also support NATO's Standing Maritime Group at all times."
"We expect a strong solidarity from our allies"
Expressing that Turkey lived up to its responsibilities toward NATO, at the centre of our national security and defence plans, until that day and would continue to keep its end of the bargain, Altun stated the following:
"It is clear, however, that our alliance desperately needs an update, in light of contemporary security threats, and get ready for 2030 and beyond. It is no secret that we cannot fully appreciate today's threats from the perspective of the Cold War. In response to asymmetrical threats, starting with terrorism, NATO is compelled to act more decisively, more effectively, and more proactively.
In this regard, we expect strong solidarity from our allies to stand against acts of terrorism to which our country has been exposed. Together with all fellow NATO members, we must bring about the change necessary to adopt a principled and unwavering position towards terrorist organisations. After all, the indivisibility of security, together with the spirit of solidarity and unity, is the backbone of our alliance. To uphold those principles is the only surefire way to ensure that NATO remains credible and trustworthy in the 2030s."
"It casts a shadow upon our trust in NATO"
Highlighting that all members had to refrain from using populist language, which threatened to undermine the alliance and reduced the collective level of deterrence of NATO, Altun said, "That some of our allies make reckless statements and effectively side with terrorist entities, our common enemy, during our fight against terrorists across NATO's borders is most devastating. Such behaviour also casts a shadow over our trust in the alliance. I must add that such dishonourable policy choices also tarnish NATO's reputation. It is only natural to expect that our allies offer their unconditional support to Turkey's fight against the killers of innocent civilians."
"Ignorant, reckless, and improper rhetoric…"
Director of Communications Altun stated, "As Turkey sticks to a principled and bold position on terrorism, some attempt to raise questions about our nation's NATO membership and even accuse us of searching for alternative alliances. From time to time, we witness attempts in the US and Europe to open to discussion Turkey's membership in NATO. Frankly, we find such rhetoric ignorant, reckless, and improper – no matter who utters them. Questions of global security cannot be debated on social media platforms by self-proclaimed experts and mid-level think tank employees. If such a discussion ever takes place, it will be at the request of the Turkish people. I would like to reiterate, yet again, that where Turkey stands and what Turkey stands for is perfectly clear. The extraordinary contributions we made to our alliance over the last seven decades speak for themselves."
"Unjust and unlawful punitive measures..."
"We expect our allies to stand with Turkey when the safety of our citizens is on the line – just as we have served the cause of peace and stability in Korea, Afghanistan, Mali, and Kosovo," said Altun and stated the following:
"We oppose any steps in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean that weaken NATO's southern flank. In Syria and Iraq, we strongly oppose efforts to arm and support terrorist entities in the name of fighting terrorism. Instead, we urge our allies to take necessary steps together, to neutralise the threats we face today. We expect the same kind of commitment to Turkey's national security from our allies, to whose national security we are firmly committed. Unfortunately, we have not witnessed that kind of sensitivity to date. Turkey not only did not receive due support from NATO against serious threats to international security but also became the target of unjust and unlawful punitive measures over its legitimate attempts to stay safe."
"We face a betrayal from our allies"
Presidency's Director of Communications Altun made the following remarks:
"We face today a betrayal from our allies in Syria, where we strive to end our civilian losses, to ensure our national security, and to prevent waves of irregular migration, which may have devastating results for Europe – just as we have been betrayed in Cyprus, where we conducted a peace operation under international law and as a guarantor. The strongest member of our alliance has equipped the terrorist organisation PKK's Syrian component, YPG, like a professional army. As rockets, fired from northern Syria, killed Turkish citizens, by contrast, our allies kept their silence and failed to support our attempts to take necessary precautions. Ironically, those who kept their silence when Turkey's air defence was suffering did everything in their power to stop us from purchasing the S-400 air defence system with our own resources. Turkey became the target of a smear campaign, even though three other NATO allies have similar systems. The delivery of F-35 fighter jets, which Turkey paid for, was blocked, citing the inability of integrating those weapons into NATO's own systems. We could not even take back aircraft, which were to undergo routine maintenance. To add insult to injury, Turkey was charged for the storage of aircraft that it failed to receive."
"Turkey is no country to kneel"
Fahrettin Altun said, "Despite efforts by some allies to reduce Turkey's level of deterrence and the pressure we endured at each step we took to ensure our national security in Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere, we never gave up."
Underlining that Turkey was no country to kneel and to give up its goals when it was abandoned, Altun said, "As our president repeatedly said, "a bad neighbour turns a man into a homeowner." We worked day and night to build our national defence industry. We are making progress, every passing day, on the production of light and heavy weapons, military vehicles and equipment, and armed and surveillance drones. At the end of the day, military, economic, and diplomatic power is not a choice but a necessity. One must work hard to pursue ambitions. Indeed, this is a nation that has a message to convey to the world."
"Anti-Turkish position of the United States when it comes to our fight against terrorism is extremely hurtful"
Director of Communications Altun pointed out that the ringleader of FETÖ, the terrorist organisation that perpetrated the July 15, 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, continued to live freely in the United States together with that group's senior leadership.
Stating that the crimes committed by those terrorists in uniform, who infiltrated into NATO's second largest army and undermined the country's fight against terrorism, were still fresh in the minds of the Turkish nation, Altun said, "Until now, Turkey's rightful request for the extradition of FETÖ's ringleader has not been approved. The consistently anti-Turkish position of the United States, our so-called ally, when it comes to our fight against terrorist entities like PKK/YPG and FETÖ, is extremely hurtful. Terrorism has no race, colour, language or religion. The idea that one group of terrorists are bad, and another group of terrorists are acceptable serves the interests of no country. Everyone lost during this process."
"The USA, which seems to have an opinion about everything happening in Turkey, refrained from making a clear statement about a mass execution of our citizens in Gara."
Remembering the citizens whom PKK terrorists cowardly martyred in Gara, Altun said, "I pray for our nation's fallen sons and extend my deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones. I must say that the initial reaction from the US State Department was far from satisfactory. That our American colleagues, who seem to have an opinion about everything happening in Turkey, refrained from making a clear statement about a mass execution of our citizens by the PKK was hurtful and infuriating. Some appear to have forgotten that PKK is in business with DHKP/C, which perpetrated a suicide attack against the US Embassy in Ankara in 2013, and sisters with PYD/YPG, which the US has been arming. Indeed, the US Consulate General in Erbil, too, came under attack earlier this week. Until now, Turkey has condemned all acts of terrorism, regardless of their perpetrators, without question or reservation. We continue to do so. We most naturally expect our allies to act the same way. Since we hear more and more about values nowadays, let me put it this way: Abandoning Turkey in its fight against terrorism is incompatible with humanity and the spirit of partnership."
"Our allies should sincerely stand in solidarity with us"
Stressing that Turkey was an indispensable member of NATO, Altun stated that they did not hold blame the alliance for the behaviour of some allies. Indeed, that position had been confirmed in every single meeting between our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Pointing out that today people experience new and unprecedented problems, Altun said, "We face the kinds of challenges and threats that no country can easily address unilaterally. From this strategic perspective, alliances become more and more important, as the laws of alliance desperately need a redefinition. Turkey has not turned down any request for assistance. We are prepared to do today what we did some 70 years ago: bring something to the table and overcome challenges together. May our allies sincerely stand in solidarity with us and grasp that such behaviour would strengthen, rather than undermine, our partnership."
The program continued with the presentation of Ambassador Tacan İldem, a member of NATO Expert Group and former NATO Deputy Secretary-General, on the " NATO 2030: United for a New Era" report.
At the panel moderated by Prof Çağrı Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University and Member of Presidency Security and Foreign Policy Board, Prof Murat Yeşiltaş, Lecturer at Ankara Social Sciences University Faculty of International Relations and SETA Security Studies Director, and Assoc. Dr Aylin Ünver Noi, an academic staff member at Haliç University Department of International Relations, also made comments on the report.