03:24NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised during a press conference in Tallinn on Tuesday that Turkey remained a ‘very important ally’, when asked whether its bid to to join ‘Russia dominated’ BRICS would be a reason for concern.
"Well, let's not forget that Turkiye is a very important ally in the alliance. It has one of the best equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its part of the NATO geography," Rutte stated.
A reporter had asked him if there was reason for concern regarding Turkey's BRICS membership bid, which the journalist labelled as 'Russia-dominated', and its attendance of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Rutte went on to say that there will always be issues leading to debates within the alliance. He highlighted that Turkey had the 'sovereign right' to join BRICS, adding that Ankara’s allyship with NATO remained ‘popular' both in Turkey and in NATO nevertheless.
In September, Turkey has applied for BRICS membership which will likely be addressed formally at the BRICS summit in Kazan according to media reports.
If accepted, Turkey would become the first NATO member of the BRICS organisation chaired by Russia since January 1, 2024. The group expanded this year, growing in both size and influence to nearly half the world's population and a third of the global economy.
Meanwhile, Rutte also commented on claims that troops from DPRK were deployed in Ukraine to assist the Russian military and said if true this would represent a 'significant escalation'.
The secretary general announced that South Korea will send experts next week to brief NATO on the issue.
"Then we will see if North Korea is indeed or not supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," he said.
Rutte warned that if DPRK was confirmed to have sent troops to Ukraine it would 'mark a significant escalation' in the conflict in the region.
At the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed he had 'clear data' showing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was supplying 'military personnel' for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow and Pyongyang have strongly denied the claims.
'Very important ally' - NATO's Rutte dismisses 'concerns' over Turkey's BRICS bid, says alleged DPRK troops in Ukraine would mark 'significant escalation'
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised during a press conference in Tallinn on Tuesday that Turkey remained a ‘very important ally’, when asked whether its bid to to join ‘Russia dominated’ BRICS would be a reason for concern.
"Well, let's not forget that Turkiye is a very important ally in the alliance. It has one of the best equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its part of the NATO geography," Rutte stated.
A reporter had asked him if there was reason for concern regarding Turkey's BRICS membership bid, which the journalist labelled as 'Russia-dominated', and its attendance of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Rutte went on to say that there will always be issues leading to debates within the alliance. He highlighted that Turkey had the 'sovereign right' to join BRICS, adding that Ankara’s allyship with NATO remained ‘popular' both in Turkey and in NATO nevertheless.
In September, Turkey has applied for BRICS membership which will likely be addressed formally at the BRICS summit in Kazan according to media reports.
If accepted, Turkey would become the first NATO member of the BRICS organisation chaired by Russia since January 1, 2024. The group expanded this year, growing in both size and influence to nearly half the world's population and a third of the global economy.
Meanwhile, Rutte also commented on claims that troops from DPRK were deployed in Ukraine to assist the Russian military and said if true this would represent a 'significant escalation'.
The secretary general announced that South Korea will send experts next week to brief NATO on the issue.
"Then we will see if North Korea is indeed or not supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," he said.
Rutte warned that if DPRK was confirmed to have sent troops to Ukraine it would 'mark a significant escalation' in the conflict in the region.
At the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed he had 'clear data' showing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was supplying 'military personnel' for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow and Pyongyang have strongly denied the claims.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised during a press conference in Tallinn on Tuesday that Turkey remained a ‘very important ally’, when asked whether its bid to to join ‘Russia dominated’ BRICS would be a reason for concern.
"Well, let's not forget that Turkiye is a very important ally in the alliance. It has one of the best equipped military forces in NATO. It plays a vital role in its part of the NATO geography," Rutte stated.
A reporter had asked him if there was reason for concern regarding Turkey's BRICS membership bid, which the journalist labelled as 'Russia-dominated', and its attendance of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Rutte went on to say that there will always be issues leading to debates within the alliance. He highlighted that Turkey had the 'sovereign right' to join BRICS, adding that Ankara’s allyship with NATO remained ‘popular' both in Turkey and in NATO nevertheless.
In September, Turkey has applied for BRICS membership which will likely be addressed formally at the BRICS summit in Kazan according to media reports.
If accepted, Turkey would become the first NATO member of the BRICS organisation chaired by Russia since January 1, 2024. The group expanded this year, growing in both size and influence to nearly half the world's population and a third of the global economy.
Meanwhile, Rutte also commented on claims that troops from DPRK were deployed in Ukraine to assist the Russian military and said if true this would represent a 'significant escalation'.
The secretary general announced that South Korea will send experts next week to brief NATO on the issue.
"Then we will see if North Korea is indeed or not supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," he said.
Rutte warned that if DPRK was confirmed to have sent troops to Ukraine it would 'mark a significant escalation' in the conflict in the region.
At the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed he had 'clear data' showing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was supplying 'military personnel' for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow and Pyongyang have strongly denied the claims.