- Joined
- Sep 20, 2016
Turkey has confirmed that it has blocked Austrian participation in some NATO programs due to Vienna’s constant anti-Turkish stance on various EU platforms, Turkish diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News.
“Turkey has been taking appropriate measures regarding Austria’s participation in NATO activities on the grounds that Austria brings its anti-Turkey attitude to the EU platforms,” a Turkish diplomatic said on condition of anonymity.
Turkey’s blocking of Austria, which is not a NATO member, in projects for 2017 such as ones for military training, has been continuing for months, another Turkish official confirmed.
A NATO meeting is planned for May 24 at the 28-nation alliance’s Brussels headquarters with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
[HH] Austria says Turkey ‘endangers security’
In a statement sent to the BBC, Austrian Defense Minister Hans Peter Doskozil lambasted Turkey for its veto.
“I strongly condemn Turkey’s course of action in NATO. It is irresponsible behavior against Austria and strengthens my position that Turkey is very far from being part of the EU,” he said. “In this, Turkey is endangering the security interests of Europe. The blockade has a long-term impact on the peace missions in the Western Balkans.”
Diplomatic tensions between Austria and Turkey predate a current escalation with other European countries. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said late last year that they wanted the freezing of Turkey’s accession talks with the EU, causing a row between the two countries.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-veto-on-austria-in-nato-stirs-debate-ahead-of-key-meeting.aspx?pageID=517&nID=113462&NewsCatID=510
“Turkey has been taking appropriate measures regarding Austria’s participation in NATO activities on the grounds that Austria brings its anti-Turkey attitude to the EU platforms,” a Turkish diplomatic said on condition of anonymity.
Turkey’s blocking of Austria, which is not a NATO member, in projects for 2017 such as ones for military training, has been continuing for months, another Turkish official confirmed.
A NATO meeting is planned for May 24 at the 28-nation alliance’s Brussels headquarters with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
[HH] Austria says Turkey ‘endangers security’
In a statement sent to the BBC, Austrian Defense Minister Hans Peter Doskozil lambasted Turkey for its veto.
“I strongly condemn Turkey’s course of action in NATO. It is irresponsible behavior against Austria and strengthens my position that Turkey is very far from being part of the EU,” he said. “In this, Turkey is endangering the security interests of Europe. The blockade has a long-term impact on the peace missions in the Western Balkans.”
Diplomatic tensions between Austria and Turkey predate a current escalation with other European countries. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said late last year that they wanted the freezing of Turkey’s accession talks with the EU, causing a row between the two countries.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-veto-on-austria-in-nato-stirs-debate-ahead-of-key-meeting.aspx?pageID=517&nID=113462&NewsCatID=510