4 weeks ago
The Netherlands’ outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte was successful Turkey connected Friday, seeking support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for nan Dutch official's bid for nan position of NATO caput general.
Incumbent NATO main Jens Stoltenberg, a erstwhile Norwegian premier curate who has been NATO’s apical civilian charismatic since 2014, is nearing nan extremity of his term. His instruction had been extended respective times arsenic nan confederation needed to support a dependable manus astatine nan helm aft Russia’s full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful February 2022.
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NATO members Turkey and Hungary had earlier expressed reservations astir Rutte’s candidacy. During his friday visit, Rutte said astatine a associated news convention pinch Erdogan.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, center, looks up astatine Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron during a information array gathering astatine an EU acme successful Brussels, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. European leaders' discussions astatine a acme successful Brussels were group to attraction connected nan bloc's competitiveness successful nan look of accrued title from nan United States and China. Tensions successful nan Middle East and nan ongoing warfare betwixt Russia and Ukraine decided otherwise, and nan 27 leaders will dedicate Wednesday evening talks to overseas affairs. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
The confederate helping of NATO "needs Turkey and its leadership," Rutte said, describing Ankara arsenic a very influential character successful nan region and a geopolitical power.
Erdogan made nary commitments connected who Turkey would support aliases opportunity what Ankara's position was.
"No 1 should person immoderate uncertainty that we will make our determination wrong nan model of strategical contented and equity," Erdogan said.
He added that an perfect campaigner for nan station of NATO main would "ensure solidarity wrong nan confederation and bid among nan allies" and besides "prioritize nan preservation of NATO’s basal position successful ensuring Euro-Atlantic security."
However, astatine nan extremity of nan news conference, Erdogan wished Rutte occurrence and smiled astatine him. The speech besides drew a grin from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
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NATO officials and envoys want nan information for Stoltenberg's successor wrapped up by nan extremity of April, earlier title for apical European Union jobs originates successful earnest astir nan June 6-9 elections. They are besides keen to debar having nan perchance divisive rumor mar nan alliance’s 75th day acme successful Washington successful July.
NATO chiefs are responsible for chairing meetings and guiding sometimes delicate consultations among personnel countries. They besides are tasked pinch speaking connected behalf of each personnel nations pinch 1 voice.
