Turkey expects 'concrete support' from NATO: Erdogan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expects “concrete support” from NATO over the ongoing situation in northwest Syria , he told the alliance’s chief Jens Stoltenberg in a Monday visit to Brussels. 

“NATO is in a critical process in which it needs to clearly show its solidarity…without discrimination and without laying down political conditions,” he added, urging that other member states support Turkey “without further delay.”

The recent clashes between Turkish army and Syrian regime forces in the Syrian northwestern province of Idlib - which resulted in the deaths of scores of soldiers from both sides - was followed by a decision by Ankara to no longer prevent millions of refugees in Turkey, mostly Syrians, from trying to enter Europe.

Chaos ensued as thousands flocked to the borders, hoping to cross to Europe by land or sea. Greek border forces responded with tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition- killing a Syrian refugee last Monday.

Stoltenberg praised Ankara’s role as an “important ally” contributing to regional security, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. 

“Allies are prepared to continue to support Turkey and explore what more to do,” AA quoted Stoltenberg as saying.

Erdogan also met with senior European Union officials in Brussels on Monday evening to discuss the fresh wave of migrants and refugees attempting to cross into Europe from Turkey. 

The one-day visit to Belgium follows an invitation from Charles Michel, president of the European Council, who met with Erdogan on March 4 in Ankara. 

Erdogan and Michel had a “frank and necessary” meeting last week covering several issues, including the “migration situation on the EU’s sea and land borders and the crisis in Syria,” according to a statement from Michel’s office.

A 2016 deal between Turkey and European Union had obliged Ankara to strengthen its borders with European countries in order to prevent the flow of the refugees there. However, Ankara has claimed that the EU has not adhered to the deal, failing to pay it six  billion euros and compensate it with the $40 billion it claims it has spent on refugees for years. 

Around 3.6 million Syrian refugees live in Turkey. 

EU ambassadors last week described Erdogan’s recent threats to send millions of refugees to Europe and the opening of borders with Greece as a move to “blackmail” the bloc, Reuters reported. 

However, Erdogan blasted Athens for blaming Ankara for recent events. 

"It is irrational and inconsiderate that an ally and a neighbouring country put the finger of blame on Turkey for the irregular migration," he said on Monday.

"We will not allow this country to try to get unfair gains by abusing the current situation and the European Union, “ he added.