23.11.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The Turkish Ambassador to London, Korkmaz Haktanir, criticized in his letter to “Daily Telegraph” the European Union’s plans to create a rapid reaction force without the participation of Turkey as irregular, ad hoc and divisive. “What is required is a permanent and regular process for effective crisis management, and not just ad hoc arrangements,” he said in a letter to the Daily Telegraph.
Haktanir said Turkey was “concerned” about the development of European security. “Creation of a separate rather than inclusive EU military organization could undermine NATO,” he said. The Turkish ambassador said that Turkey has played a “key part” in the defense of Europe as a member of NATO during the Cold War. The country’s closeness to the Caucasus, Caspian oil reserves and Middle East was “vital to Western security,” he said.
Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Turkish Defence Minister, told on November 22 meeting in Brussels of defence ministers from non-EU European states that it is ready to offer about 6,000 troops for the rapid reaction forces. –0–
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