Statement by the North Atlantic Council on incursions into Turkey’s airspace by Russian aircraft

The North Atlantic Council met on the 5 October 2015 to hold consultations on the potential implications of the recent dangerous military actions of the Russian Federation in and around Syria.

Allies expressed their deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs, and Idlib which led to civilian casualties and did not target Da’esh. Allies call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians, to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL, and to promote a solution to the conflict through a political transition.

Russian military actions had reached a more dangerous level with violations of Turkish airspace on 3 and 4 October 2015 by Russian Air Force planes.

NATO: Speech, 05.10.15: NATO Secretary General expresses solidarity with Turkey following Russian air space violation http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_123395.htm

ESO: Background information: Russia and Turkey - What does their partnership mean for the EU? http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-and-turkey-what-does-their-partnership-mean-for-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: Preparing for the Worst: Are Russian and NATO Military Exercises Making War in Europe more Likely? http://www.europeansources.info/record/preparing-for-the-worst-are-russian-and-nato-military-exercises-making-war-in-europe-more-likely/

ESO: Background information: Russia bombs targets in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-parliament-approves-military-move-in-syria-russia-bombs-targets-in-syria/

ESO: Background information: Erdoğan’s Delicate Visit to Brussels / Europe needs Recep Tayyip ​​Erdoğan – but he will play hard-to-get / Turkey's Erdogan mocks EU over refugees during Brussels trip http://www.europeansources.info/record/erdogans-delicate-visit-to-brussels-europe-needs-recep-tayyip-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8berdogan-but-he-will-play-hard-to-get-turkeys-erdogan-mocks-eu-over-refugees-during-brussels-trip/

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 05.10.15: High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/151005_03_en.htm

Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, No.269, 2015 (05.10.15): Regarding the Violation of Turkish Airspace by a Russian Federation Aircraft http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-269_-05-october-2015_-press-release-regarding-the-violation-of-turkish-airspace-by-a-russian-federation-aircraft.en.mfa

EurActiv, 06.10.15: US, NATO condemn Russia's violations of Turkish airspace http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/us-nato-condemn-russias-violations-turkish-airspace-318246

Deutsche Welle, 05.10.15: NATO condemns Russian incursion into Turkish airspace http://dw.com/p/1Gj1l

BBC News, 06.10.15: Syria conflict: Turkey summons Russian ambassador a second time http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34450827

Today's Zaman, 05.10.15: NATO, US stand by Turkey after Russian airspace violation http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_nato-us-stand-by-turkey-after-russian-airspace-violation_400622.html

Sputnik International, 05.10.15: Jumping at a Chance? US Makes Fuss of Russia Violating Turkish Airspace http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151005/1028056133/us-russia-turkey-air-space.html

EUObserver, 06.10.15: Turkey and US say Russian jets could be shot down https://euobserver.com/foreign/130566

Today's Zaman, 06.10.15: Turkey says its jets harassed on Syria border http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-says-its-jets-harassed-on-syria-border_400751.html

Politico, 06.10.15: EU wants ‘stepped up’ action on migrants http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-wants-stepped-up-action-on-migrants-juncker-refugees-fund-erdogan/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 26.11.15: NATO’s Powerlessness Over Syria and Refugees http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62099

---