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NATO vows to continue fight against terrorism

Xinhua, September 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

NATO top commanders vowed to continue their fight against terrorism of any kind as they wrapped up a close-door meeting here on Saturday.

"Terrorism poses direct threats to NATO and international stability. It will remain the threats in the foreseeable future," NATO Military Committee Chairman Petr Pavel said at a press conference.

Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar said "these new risks force us to be decisive as never before. We brought our airbases into service, we are battling with any kind of terrorism with strong determination."

However, both generals withheld any detail information of military actions against the Islamic State (IS).

Petr Pavel said NATO's 28 member states are against any kind of threats and will respond to challenges in both eastern and southern flanks, keeping all countries safe.

As to Russia's involvement in Ukraine and Syrian, he said the action plan was initiated in Wales, due to Russian events in Ukraine, as a reaction to the need for assurance for Eastern European state members of NATO who fell threatened by Russia's uncredible behavior close to their borders.

This plan consist of two measure sets. One is assurance measure aiming to protect local population and NATO is ready to assist if it is necessary, he said, the other parts are adaptation and long term measures to long security environment.

The NATO meeting focused on the implementation and progress of the readiness action plan, regional security and its challenges, NATO's current mission in Afghanistan, Resolute Support, and the Western Balkans.

The meeting came at a time when tension between NATO and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis is mounting with an alliance decision to increase its deterrence in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Eastern Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that it is sending humanitarian assistance, military supplies and advisers to Syria and will send additional aid if asked, thus raising U.S. concerns it will escalate the civil war and send even more migrants to Europe.

Russia's move comes after Bulgaria and Ukraine this week closed their airspace to Russian flights to Syria to stop any Russian military buildup there. Endit