The US State Department emphasized that Turkey is a "valued" NATO ally and stated that they will continue to work with Ankara to strengthen the alliance.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, in response to a question regarding calls for Turkey's expulsion from NATO following AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, replied, "Despite our disagreements on this issue, I can say that Turkey is a valued NATO ally."
Stating that they will continue to work with Ankara to strengthen the alliance, Miller also recalled that Sweden's NATO accession protocol has been submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Using the phrase, "We look forward to continuing to work with them (Turkey) to strengthen NATO," Miller emphasized that these strengthening efforts also include the swift realization of Sweden's accession to NATO.
Stressing that this disagreement is not the first they have had with the Turkish administration, Miller said that they still view Turkey as a productive and constructive NATO ally.
Regarding President Erdoğan's aforementioned statement, Miller said, "I think we have been very clear in our assessment that Hamas is a bona fide terrorist organization."
Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott had called on NATO last week to "seriously reconsider" Turkey's membership after President Erdoğan stated that Hamas is "not a terrorist organization."
News Source: 12punto
