Outgoing Dutch prime minister visits Turkey's Erdogan in his bid for the NATO chief position
ISTANBUL (AP) — The Netherlands’ outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte was in Turkey on Friday, seeking support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Dutch official’s bid for the position of NATO secretary general.
Incumbent NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister who has been NATO’s top civilian official since 2014, is nearing the end of his term. His mandate had been extended several times as the alliance needed to keep a steady hand at the helm after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
NATO members Turkey and Hungary had earlier expressed reservations about Rutte’s candidacy. During his friday visit, Rutte spoke at a joint news conference with Erdogan.
The southern wing of NATO “needs Turkey and its leadership,” Rutte said, describing Ankara as a very influential actor in the region and a geopolitical power.
Related articles
Letter from China: Exploring culturally rich Beijing along central axis
Ancient architectural buildings at the Temple of Agriculture in downtown Beijing have recently opene2024-05-20CPC leadership reviews disciplinary inspection report
The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met on Friday to review2024-05-20Nanjing Massacre victims remembered ahead of Qingming Festival
Staff members present a flower basket to victims of the Nanjing Massacre at the Memorial Hall of the2024-05-20Top political advisor meets visiting KMT delegation
Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committ2024-05-20Mets reliever Edwin Díaz open to demotion from closer role as struggles mount and confidence wanes
MIAMI (AP) — Edwin Díaz is open to a change to help ignite the slumping New York Mets — even if that2024-05-20- A nationwide anti-bullying campaign will be launched in China, among wider efforts to ensure the saf2024-05-20
atest comment