Turkey Blocks Some Cooperation with NATO Partners as EU Row Escalates

Turkey has blocked some military training and other work with NATO "partner countries" in an apparent escalation of a diplomatic dispute with EU states, officials and sources said.


Turkey was not immediately available to comment, but sources told Reuters it had blocked NATO's 2017 rolling program of cooperation with non-EU countries, including political events, civilian projects and military training.

Austria's defense ministry confirmed the Turkish block. A spokesman said there was no immediate effect on ongoing missions, but could cause problems in the longer term "for example for the preparation of missions in Kosovo, because there are joint training programs."

Another NATO official said some events had already been canceled.

"We hope maybe some will still take place at a later time," he said. "The problem is a political one. We hope the situation will calm down after the referendum."

Turkey's action potentially affects all 22 NATO partner states, including Sweden and Georgia, some of which contribute troops to NATO missions in places such as Afghanistan and Kosovo.
  (Tasnim)
16/3/17