“Turkey is of great importance to the joint defense of the alliance and a look at the map is enough to recognize the country’s value, amid rising criticism of Turkish actions in the media and in Western capitals,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has told journalists, according to Hurriyet Daily News.
“Turkey is a highly valued ally. Turkey is important for our shared security. Not least in the fight against terrorism because Turkey has provided infrastructure basis for the efforts to the global coalition to defeat (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) ISIL. We are grateful for Turkey for that,” Stoltenberg added.
Evaluating the anti-terror Operation Olive Branch in Syria, NATO Secretary-General noted that Turkey has the right to protect itself because Turkey has suffered from many terror attacks.
