ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that NATO's taking necessary decisions about planning and implementation activities for Turkey's protection was a sign of solidarity among the allied countries and validity of fundamental principles of the Alliance.
Releasing a message to mark the 51st anniversary of Turkey's becoming a member of NATO, President Sezer said, ''Turkey, which joined NATO on February 18, 1952, has been a powerful and reliable member of the Alliance for more than five decades. NATO has been playing a significant role in protection of democracy, prosperity and freedoms and in settlement of peace and stability in European-Atlantic region. NATO's expansion in the course of time with joining of new members and its inviting seven countries to the membership at the summit meeting in Prague proves that NATO's function as a joint defense alliance was indispensable.''
''NATO Defense Planning Committee has accepted the Alliance's extending defense support to Turkey under the Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty in case of a threat against Turkey due to serious security problems in the region. NATO's taking necessary decisions about planning and implementation activities for Turkey's protection is a sign of solidarity among the allied countries and validity of fundamental principles of the Alliance. Protection of unity and solidarity in the Alliance under any condition is of great importance in regard to power and influence of NATO,'' he said.
President Sezer added, ''we believe that NATO will maintain its significant function in protection of international security. As a reliable ally, Turkey is ready to make any contribution.''
(UK-AÖ) 19.02.2003