NATO discusses serious situation in Turkey

NATO on Tuesday discussed the serious situation following the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after a special meeting.

The North Atlantic Council, the political decision-making body of the NATO, met at Turkey's request to hold consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which states that "the parties will consult whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened."

Turkey requested the meeting in view of the seriousness of the situation after the recent terrorist attacks, and to inform Allies of the measures it is taking, according to the statement after the meeting.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against Turkey, and express our condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the victims in Suruc and other attacks against police and military officers," said Stoltenberg at the press conference.

"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations can never be tolerated or justified," he said, adding that "we stand in strong solidarity with Turkey."

Stoltenberg also stated NATO will continue to follow the developments on the South-Eastern border closely.

Some 31 people were killed by suicide bomb in Turkish border town of Suruc near the Syrian border last Monday.

Turkey launched air strikes late Friday night against camps of the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq and targets of Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. Endit