Türkiye backs Mark Rutte as next NATO chief
REGION 29 April 2024 - 20:27
Türkiye has decided to back the candidacy of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next secretary-general of NATO, Turkish officials said on April 29.
Ankara told NATO it will support Rutte after the Dutch premier met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul on April 26, officials said, Daily Sabah reports.
“NATO’s southern wing needs Türkiye and its leadership,” Rutte told a joint news conference with Erdoğan after their meeting.
“Türkiye is a geopolitical actor with significant influence in the region. They’re working to help end the war in Gaza. They’re also making effort regarding the horrible war in Ukraine,” Rutte had remarked.
Erdoğan for his part had assured Türkiye’s decision would be within “the framework of strategic wisdom and fairness” regarding the new NATO chief.
Ankara expects the new head of the military bloc to “serve the needs and interests of allies” regarding counterterrorism and to take account of the “sensitivities of non-European Union member allies.”
For Türkiye, counterterrorism largely includes the fight against the PKK and its offshoots, a terrorist group that has led a bloody insurgency against the Turkish state since the 1980s, claiming more than 40,000 lives. It is recognized as a terrorist group in Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.
Ankara often condemns “relations” between the terrorist group and certain NATO members as “unacceptable,” “a threat against member states” as well as “against the spirit of alliance.”
It refused to ratify the membership bids of Sweden and Finland for more than a year until the Nordic nations met Turkish demands like tightened measures against terrorist groups.
Rutte is now seeking to replace Jens Stoltenberg as secretary-general of the 31-nation Western military alliance.
But he needs the support of every NATO member state to get the job and Hungary expressed opposition to his bid. There are currently no other publicly declared candidates.
Rutte has strong backing from Britain, Germany and the US
Caliber.Az
1
|
UN admits error: Gaza death toll overestimated, women and children nearly 50% fewer Israeli FM urges Guterres to resign
14 May 2024 - 09:34
|
2
|
Paris' conundrum: Pashinyan over Karabakh clan Assessing France's position on Baku-Yerevan talks
14 May 2024 - 10:40
|
3
|
All eyes on November 2024: Baku, Yerevan on verge of historic peace deal Nations poised to reconcile without mediators
15 May 2024 - 10:33
|
4
|
Ethnic minorities in Iran struggle against exploitation amid resource wealth Ethnic minority marginalization
14 May 2024 - 17:59
|
5
|
Progress toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus Strategic diplomacy in Almaty
13 May 2024 - 09:16
|
South Africa airs plans to open diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan
16 May 2024 - 19:10
Azerbaijan: A beacon of religious tolerance
The Washington Times article16 May 2024 - 18:58
Netherlands scuttles Russia’s participation in UNESCO International Conference
16 May 2024 - 18:46
US interior department staffer is first Jewish Biden appointee to resign over war in Gaza
16 May 2024 - 18:33
Microsoft offers relocation to hundreds of China-based AI staff amid US-China tech tensions
16 May 2024 - 18:20
Speaker of Latvian Saeima to visit Azerbaijan
16 May 2024 - 18:07
Slovak MFA expresses appreciation to Ilham Aliyev for demonstrating support
16 May 2024 - 17:55
Bucharest chosen as base for joint power company of four nations
16 May 2024 - 17:42
France's coercive colonial policies in New Caledonia
Hypocrisy, repression, struggle for self-determination16 May 2024 - 17:29
Political unrest in Armenia & Georgia amid Azerbaijan's rebuilding efforts in Karabakh
South Caucasus in flux16 May 2024 - 17:18
Assassination attempt on Slovak PM as a harbinger of tension in Europe
Proponents of peace under fire16 May 2024 - 17:06
Azerbaijan, China explore solar energy cooperation in liberated areas
16 May 2024 - 16:55
Azerbaijani, Armenian Parliament Speakers meet in Geneva
16 May 2024 - 16:54
Rheinmetall to open air defence manufacturing plant in Ukraine
16 May 2024 - 16:42
Georgian PM off to Türkiye for high-level meetings
16 May 2024 - 16:30
Understanding Xi Jinping's visit to Paris
Implications for China-EU relations/VIDEO16 May 2024 - 16:20
Russia, China issue joint demand for US to halt military-biological activities
16 May 2024 - 16:18
Paving roads to future: Aghdam's renaissance in motion
VIDEO16 May 2024 - 16:06
COP29 holds great importance in informing sectors about their climate change commitments
UN Resident Coordinator says16 May 2024 - 15:53
Azerbaijan, Belarus ink range of diverse agreements
PHOTO16 May 2024 - 15:52
ICRC personnel visit Karabakh separatists in Baku pre-trial detention centre
16 May 2024 - 15:43
Azerbaijani, Belarusian presidents affirm strong bilateral ties in expanded meeting
16 May 2024 - 15:43
Azerbaijan's COP hosting garners pride from Turkish committee chair
16 May 2024 - 15:31
Azerbaijan focuses on climate action and energy transition ahead of COP29
Climate change champion's interview with Business Green16 May 2024 - 15:13
Armenian PM replaces troops on border with Azerbaijan with border guards
16 May 2024 - 15:13
Iran summons Australian charge d’affaires over "illegal sanctions"
16 May 2024 - 14:54
Georgia accuses EU FMs of aiding government overthrow attempt
16 May 2024 - 14:37
Azerbaijani artillery units enhance shooting proficiency through tactical exercises
VIDEO16 May 2024 - 14:29
Resettlement planned for two villages in Gubadli District by year's end
16 May 2024 - 14:19
Baku Initiative Group, 14 political movements condemn French government's actions in New Caledonia
16 May 2024 - 14:07
Kazakhstan invites Vietnam to explore opportunities of Middle Corridor
16 May 2024 - 13:54
Azerbaijan denounces French minister's unfounded allegations
16 May 2024 - 13:41
Azerbaijan's top trading partners and foreign trade trends in January-April 2024
16 May 2024 - 13:28
State of emergency takes effect in New Caledonia after four killed in riots
16 May 2024 - 13:15
Xi lauds China-Russia ties as Putin arrives in Beijing
16 May 2024 - 13:02
Court prolongs arrest of separatist Vardanyan
UPDATED16 May 2024 - 12:53
Menendez was a "senator on the take," prosecutor says, while his lawyers blame his wife
First details of pro-Armenian bribetaker's trial16 May 2024 - 12:50
Michael Roth's brazen role in manupulations in the South Caucasus
Unmasking the West's true agenda16 May 2024 - 12:39
Armenian PM clarifies delimitation principle with Azerbaijan
16 May 2024 - 12:27
Police сommence detentions near government building in Yerevan amid revanchist rally
16 May 2024 - 12:15