Turkey calls for special NATO talks amid security concerns

Turkey calls for special NATO talks amid security concerns

PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO said Sunday, July 26, that it would meet this week after Turkey called for special talks amid heightened concerns over its security, according to CNN.

Turkey made the request under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, which allows countries to ask for consultations when they believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

It's only the fifth time in NATO history that members will meet under Article 4, CNN quoted NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu as saying.

"In the wake of increased security threats following the attacks against our security and law-enforcement forces in provinces of Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa and Kilis, in particular the terrorist attack that took the lives of 32 innocent Turkish citizens in Suruç on July 20, 2015, all necessary measures are being taken and in this context, operations are also being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Upon these recent attacks and threats directed against our national security, North Atlantic Council has been called for a meeting by Turkey [this] week under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty with a view to informing our Allies about the measures we are taking and the operations we are conducting against terrorism, as well as to holding consultations with them," it said.

NATO, in a separate statement, confirmed that a meeting would take place on Tuesday.

The talks will come as Turkey grapples with a wave of violence near its southern border with Syria and is ramping up its effort to fight terrorists.

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