Turkiye Question: Jens Stoltenberg Of NATO Refusing For Nearly One Month To Answer Question About MD Partnership, Israel, And President Erdogan. Why?
Turkiye Question: Jens Stoltenberg Of NATO Refusing For Nearly One Month To Answer Question About MD Partnership, Israel, President Erdogan. Why?
United States Taxpayers Are Largest Source Of NATO Civil Annual Budget Funding.
The civil budget is formulated in line with an objectives-based framework, which establishes clear links between NATO's strategic objectives and the resources required to achieve them. There are five frontline objectives which encompass support for: crisis management and operations, collective defence, cooperative security, public relations and the consultation process among Allies.
For nearing one month, Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General (2014-October 2024) of the thirty-two-member country Brussels, Belgium-based North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has refused to provide answers to these questions:
“[What is] the process for NATO to add and remove a country participant in the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD)? Must all thirty-two members of NATO agree? Must there be 100% consensus? If one current NATO member requests a removal of a country from the MD, must NATO remove the country from the MD? “The initial countries, chosen on a basis of a consensus among NATO member states, are: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel and Mauritania.” NATO, 8 February 1995
For any country to become a member of NATO, all current thirty-two members of NATO must vote in the affirmative. “So, as you know, to have a new Ally, to invite a new Ally, we need consensus.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 10 July 2024
Can President Erdogan Remove Israel From NATO Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) Partnership? Israel Was Invited In 1995.
“Until a lasting peace is established in Palestine, we will not endorse initiatives for cooperation with Israel within NATO.” Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye (2014- )
“The initial countries, chosen on a basis of a consensus among NATO member states, are: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel and Mauritania.” NATO, 8 February 1995
For Any Country To Become A Member Of NATO, All Current Thirty-Two Members Of NATO Must Vote In The Affirmative. Turkiye Has Been A Member Of NATO Since 18 February 1952.
“So, as you know, to have a new Ally, to invite a new Ally, we need consensus.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (2014- October 2024), 10 July 2024
From NATO: “Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) is a partnership forum that aims to contribute to security and stability in the wider Mediterranean region, and promote good relations and understanding among participating countries and NATO Allies. Current members include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.”
NATO: United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Romania, Germany, Slovakia, Greece, Slovenia, Hungary, Spain, Turkiye, Latvia, and North Macedonia, Sweden.
“Launched in December 1994, the Mediterranean Dialogue's overall aim is to contribute to regional security and stability, achieve better mutual understanding and dispel any misconceptions about NATO in participating countries. The Euro-Atlantic area and the Mediterranean share many common security challenges; their security cannot be separated. In February 1995, a first group composed of Egypt, Israel, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia joined the Dialogue, followed by Jordan in November of that year, and Algeria in March 2000. The Dialogue is a flexible and unique forum, which has continuously evolved over the years to respond to changes in the region. What have not changed, however, are the MD's core principles: non-discrimination, self-differentiation, two-way engagement, non-imposition, diversity and complementarity to other international initiatives in the region. It is based on two pillars: political dialogue and practical cooperation.”
The Times of Israel (12 July 2024): “Foreign Minister Israel Katz slams Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for saying it is not possible for NATO to continue its partnership with Israel. “Until comprehensive, sustainable peace is established in Palestine, attempts at cooperation with Israel within NATO will not be approved by Turkey,” Erdogan says at a news conference at the NATO summit. Katz shoots back, saying Erdogan can’t set NATO policy. “First of all, Erdogan, you decide nothing,” Katz posts on X. “Furthermore, a country like Turkey, which supports the murderers and rapists of Hamas and the Iranian axis of evil, should not be a member of NATO,” he adds. Israel is a partner with NATO. Turkey has at times in the past used its veto in the military alliance to stop closer ties with Israel.” (emphasis added)
From NATO:
“Israel is a partner state to NATO’s 32 member states, as well as one of seven members of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue designed to “contribute to security and stability in the wider Mediterranean region.” Over the past 30 years, Israel and NATO have expanded cooperation in areas including science and technology, counterterrorism, civil preparedness, and countering weapons of mass destruction. One month before Hamas’s massacre, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met with Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in Israel and praised the “close, long-standing partnership” between Israel and NATO.”
“Since its inception in 1994, the Mediterranean Dialogue has evolved to respond to ever-increasing changes in the security and political environment. Cooperation has progressively expanded into a multitude of areas and both sides have increased exchanges, thereby reinforcing the Dialogue. The Mediterranean Cooperation Group (MCG) was established in July 1997, giving greater impetus to the initiative, while cooperation was increased and relations were strengthened through multiple visits and bilateral agreements. The MCG was succeeded in 2011 by the Political and Partnerships Committee, which was itself succeeded in 2014 by the Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee. At the Istanbul Summit in June 2004, NATO invited Mediterranean partners to establish a more ambitious and expanded framework, guided by the principle of joint ownership and taking into consideration their particular interests and needs. An annual Mediterranean Dialogue Work Programme focusing on agreed priority areas became the main instrument of cooperation. At their Berlin meeting in April 2011, NATO Foreign Ministers endorsed the establishment of a single Partnership Cooperation Menu for all partners, dramatically expanding the number of activities accessible to MD countries. At the NATO Summit in Brussels in June 2021, Allied Heads of State and Government agreed to strengthen NATO's twin pillars of political dialogue and practical cooperation with the Mediterranean Dialogue partners. Every two years, NATO and each MD partner country agree on a bilateral partnership document called the Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme (IPCP). Over time, this document has become increasingly ambitious and provides a clear framework for cooperation.”
“On 6-8 September 2023, the NATO Deputy Secretary General Mr. Mircea Geoană, will visit Israel: On Wednesday, 6 September, Mr. Geoană will have a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Defence of the State of Israel, Yoav Gallant. On that day, Mr. Geoană will also visit the Technion Sarona Tel Aviv Campus, where he will meet with the faculty staff and have a round-table discussion with business executives. On Thursday, 7 September, Mr. Geoană will visit ‘Yad Vashem’, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, where he will participate in a memorial ceremony. Also on Thursday, Mr. Geoană will have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by a bilateral meeting with the President of the State of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog. On the same day, Mr. Geoană will visit the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. On Friday, 8 September 2023, Mr. Geoană will meet with Allied Ambassadors to Israel.”
“On Thursday 26 January 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the President of Israel, Mr Isaac Herzog, at NATO HQ. The President will also participate in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.”
“The NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller will be travelling to Israel on Sunday, 20 January and Monday 21 January 2019 for meetings with senior government officials.”
“Statement by the Secretary General of NATO on Israeli operation against ships bound for Gaza: 01 Jun. 2010 -Today the North Atlantic Council (NAC) met for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the recent Israeli operation against ships bound for Gaza. There was an extensive exchange of views among Allies on all aspects of this tragic event. “I would like to express my deep regret over the loss of lives and the other casualties resulting from the use of force during the incident involving the convoy sailing to Gaza. I offer sincere condolences to the families of all victims and condemn the acts which have led to this tragedy. I add my voice to the calls by the United Nations and the European Union for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation into the incident. As a matter of urgency, I also request the immediate release of the detained civilians and ships held by Israel.”
“On 16 October 2006, NATO and Israel finalised the Individual Cooperation Programme (ICP) under the enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue as well as the modalities of Israel's contribution to the NATO maritime Operation Active Endeavour. NATO and Israel have also finalised the modalities of Israel's contribution to the NATO maritime Operation Active Endeavour. At their Istanbul Summit, NATO's Heads of State and Government decided to offer Mediterranean Dialogue partner countries the possibility to agree with NATO Individual Cooperation Programmes and to contribute to Operation Active Endeavour, in the context of the More Ambitious and Expanded Framework for the Mediterranean Dialogue approved at the Summit. Israel's decision to contribute to Operation Active Endeavour and to finalise the Individual Cooperation Programme with NATO, represent a significant step forward in the cooperation with the Alliance.”
“8 February 1995: Consistent with the NAC communique of 1st December 1994 concerning the strengthening of "regional stability", today the Council decided to initiate a direct dialogue with Mediterranean non-member countries. The general aim of this dialogue is to contribute to security and stability in the Mediterranean as a whole, to achieve a better mutual understanding and to correct any misunderstandings of the Alliance's purpose that could lead to a perception of a threat. The initial countries, chosen on a basis of a consensus among NATO member states, are: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel and Mauritania. This is a progressive initiative and an extension of the dialogue to other Mediterranean countries, which are willing and able to contribute to the peace and security of the region, will be envisaged after the initial round of dialogue with the above countries.”
“Turkey blocks NATO-Israel cooperation over Gaza war. Ankara has vetoed all NATO engagement with Israel since October, including joint meetings and exercises; Erdogan tells NATO summit it is not possible to continue the alliance's partnership with the Israeli administration
ANKARA, 1 August 2024 (Reuters) - Turkey has blocked cooperation between NATO and Israel since October because of the war in Gaza and said the alliance should not engage with Israel as a partner until there is an end to the conflict, sources familiar with the process said. Israel carries the status of NATO partner and has fostered close relations with the military alliance and some of its members, notably its biggest ally the United States.
Prior to Israel's offensive in Gaza - prompted by Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct. 7 rampage - NATO member Turkey had been working to mend its long-strained ties with Israel. Since then, Ankara has been fiercely critical of Israel's operation in Gaza, which it says amounts to a genocide, and has halted all bilateral trade. It has also slammed many Western allies for their support of Israel.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said Turkey had vetoed all NATO engagement with Israel since October, including joint meetings and exercises, viewing Israel's "massacre" of Palestinians in Gaza as a violation of NATO's founding principles.
A U.N. inquiry in June found that both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes in the early stages of the Gaza war. It said Israel's actions constituted crimes against humanity because of the immense civilian losses. Israel rejects this and says its operation in Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,000 people, aims to eradicate Hamas.
The sources said Turkey would maintain this block and not allow Israel to continue or advance its interaction with NATO until there was an end to the conflict, as it believes Israel's actions in Gaza violate international law and universal human rights. After a NATO summit in Washington in July, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said it was not possible for NATO to continue its partnership with the Israeli administration. Earlier this week, Israel's foreign minister urged the alliance to expel Turkey after Erdogan appeared to threaten to enter Israel, as it had Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh in the past.”
From NATO: United States taxpayers contribute 15.8813% to the civil budget for NATO- far more than any of the other thirty-one member countries. “The civil budget supports Allies' consultation and decision-making. It provides funds for personnel expenses, operating costs, and capital and programme expenditure of the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Belgium. It is financed from national foreign ministry budgets (in most countries); its implementation is overseen by the Budget Committee. The civil budget for 2024 is EUR 438.1 million. The NATO Secretary General is the budget holder of the civil budget. The civil budget is formulated in line with an objectives-based framework, which establishes clear links between NATO's strategic objectives and the resources required to achieve them. There are five frontline objectives which encompass support for: crisis management and operations, collective defence, cooperative security, public relations and the consultation process among Allies. There are also three enabling objectives, which consist of: supporting the operational environment of the NATO Headquarters; governance and regulation through the monitoring of business policies, processes and procedures; and NATO Headquarters' security.” From media reporting: “A new approximately US$850 million NATO headquarters building commenced construction in 2010 and was dedicated in 2017. The cost of the new headquarters building escalated to approximately US$1.3 billion.” (underline added)