Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun stated that Turkey is a top contributor to NATO, handling the refugee crisis, and pursuing DAESH; and that allies must support Turkey in its fight against terror groups.
Fahrettin Altun, who is in London for the NATO Summit along with the delegation led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said the following on Twitter regarding the summit:
“Turkey has been asking for something pretty basic. Our allies must support us in our fight against terror groups just as we support their security by being a top contributor to NATO, handling the refugee crisis, and pursuing DAESH.”
Altun underlined the necessity for allies to do their part by ceasing their support for the PKK/YPG/PYD and added:
“They need to cooperate with us on extraditing FETO fugitives accused of attempting the July 15 coup attempt. Terrorists must not be allowed to find help, support, and refuge from our European allies.
“Our critiques have dared to question our NATO membership”
Altun indicated that Turkey has put its own forces on the ground in Syria to ensure the return of hundreds of thousands of Syrians to their country, and said: “We have prevented large swaths of territory from becoming terrorist safe havens. Our allies have criticized our efforts instead of supporting them. Our critiques have dared to question our national security concerns and our NATO membership.”
“In the face of most serious challenges, we have been a top contributing partner in NATO for our common security,” Altun said, and continued:
“And, we aren’t planning to compromise our national security anytime soon. Turkey is hosting more than 3,6 million Syrian refugees, a result of the most serious humanitarian challenge of our time. We have expended resources including tens of billions of dollars. Our European partners continue to be timid in helping us meet this monumental challenge.”
Referring to the summit as a great opportunity for candid discussions about these issues, Altun noted: “Turkey’s efforts against international terrorism, as well as our security needs and concerns, must be recognized. It is only through meaningful dialogue that NATO can be strengthened.”