ISTANBUL - The next secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) said on Monday that he would be in close cooperation with Turkey during his term of office.
Holding a press conference within the framework of the 2nd Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Istanbul, NATO's incoming secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that Turkish and Spanish prime ministers' efforts contributed to intercultural dialogue.
Rasmussen said it was not possible to establish dialogue solely with military means, adding that a much firmer dialogue was needed between the military and civilian parties.
Noting that he would cooperate closely with Turkey as NATO's next secretary-general, Rasmussen said Turkey was both a close ally and a strategic partner.
He also said the country acted as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and central Asia, playing an important role to improve dialogue.
Commenting on terrorism issue, Rasmussen said terrorism was a major threat and it should be fought without making any concessions.
Noting that terrorism was a threat against freedoms and it evoked hatred between societies, Rasmussen said all NATO-member states were well aware of such concerns.