18 Feb. 2004

Secretary General discusses Afghanistan, Iraq during Turkey visit News 18/02/2004 - NATO NATO Secretary General to visit Turkey, 18/19 February 2004 06/01/2004 - NATO NATO expands its role in Afghanistan Background NATO in Afghanistan NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer traveled to Ankara on 18 and 19 February for talks with the country’s leadership on key issues on NATO’s agenda. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül and Defence Minister Vecdi Gönül. The discussions focused mainly on how Turkey could contribute to the expansion of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. NATO is now preparing for the establishment of more Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), in an effort to bring greater stability and security to Afghanistan’s provinces. The Turkish government expressed its willingness to consider the deployment of more troops and the Secretary General said that “Turkey can make serious contributions to... stability and security in Afghanistan and also to fighting the terrorist threat.” The situation in Iraq was also discussed, with the Secretary General saying that NATO would be willing to extend help to any member that took on a leadership of a multinational force in Iraq. At present however, Afghanistan remained the Alliance’s main priority, he added. The visit to Turkey was part of the Secretary General’s welcome tour of NATO member countries. The series of visits provides the new Secretary General with the opportunity to outline his priorities and consult with member countries on key political questions.