BRUSSELS - There were ''mutual interesting messages'' in a seminar entitled, ''Turkey and European Security'' which was held close to press at NATO headquarters on Monday.
Representatives of business and academy world from Turkey and several officials of nongovernmental organizations attended the seminar held under the auspices of NATO Secretary General George Robertson.
Sources said that the seminar aimed to ''inform circles outside government about NATO's agenda on renewing itself and Turkey's role on the issue.''
Issues on the agenda of NATO, developments in transatlantic relations and Turkey's view on those issues were discussed in the seminar.
Robertson delivered a speech on ''Turkey's importance for NATO and role in development of the alliance.''
Some participants said that Robertson and alliance authorities underlined the Turkey's effect and power on NATO and noted that Turkish and EU public opinions should be informed in detail on the issue.
NATO authorities said that Turkey's strategic importance was increasing in defense and security and stated that both Turkish people and West European people should be aware of it. They also said that Turkey's effectiveness in NATO was also a significant component in full membership to the EU.
NATO officials said that NATO summit which will be held in Istanbul in May 2004 was an historical opportunity for Turkey to promote itself and stated that the latest developments in the Middle East increased importance of Turkey more.
Participants in the seminar said that efforts to promote better Turkey's location, importance and power to West Europe should be exerted.
A message saying that ''Turkey should be more aware of its power and potential and those issues should be projected onto West Europe with sounder methods'' was given in the seminar.
Turkish participants said that any tension emerging between the EU and the United States affected negatively Turkey and stated that some West European countries' attitude on fight against terrorism were wrong.
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.09.2003