http://www.defpro.com/news/details/11529/
Estonian Ministry of Defence November 26, 2009 Estonian Official: Estonia and Turkey Have a Similar Vision on the Future of NATO -At the meeting, the visibility of NATO and the air policing mission of the Baltic States were also discussed. In 2006, Turkish fighters participated in the air policing operation of the Baltic States. Yesterday, Riho Terras, Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, met with his Turkish colleague, Lieutenant General Ahmet Turmus, in Ankara, with whom the future of NATO and the defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed. According to Terras, the positions of Estonia and Turkey are similar with regard to the new strategic concept of NATO – collective defence, according to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, as well as Article 4, are still considered important. “The two countries also agree that a sensible balance must be found between the protection of NATO's own territory and out-of-area operations," Permanent Undersecretary Terras said. At the meeting, the visibility of NATO and the air policing mission of the Baltic States were also discussed. In 2006, Turkish fighters participated in the air policing operation of the Baltic States. Terras and Lieutenant General Turmus also found that the defence cooperation between the two countries needs to be intensified and the regularity of consultations increased. “As of today, there have been quite a number of high-level visits between the two countries; now it is time to proceed with more regular work level communication," Terras said. Permanent Undersecretary Terras also met with Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industry, with whom opportunities for organising potential joint procurements for weaponry and equipment in the future were discussed. Terras also visited two Turkish defence industry companies. During the visit, Terras also visited the NATO Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism in Turkey and the training centre for the members of the defence forces of the countries participating in the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme. Terras also laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato Blog site: http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/ To subscribe, send an e-mail to: [email protected] or [email protected] Daily digest option available. ==============================
