(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed Monday recent Russian military actions in and around Syria, including the violations of Turkish airspace by Russian combat aircraft, with the Foreign Minister of Turkey Feridun Sinirlioglu.
"I made clear that NATO remains strongly committed to Turkey's security. Russia's actions are not contributing to the security and stability of the region," the NATO chief said in a statement after the meeting.
He called on Russia to fully respect NATO airspace and to avoid escalating tensions with the Alliance.
"I urge Russia to take the necessary steps to align its efforts with those of the international community in the fight against ISIL," he added.
Meanwhile, the North Atlantic Council, which represents NATO ambassadors, met here earlier today to hold consultations on the potential implications of the recent dangerous military actions by Russia in and around Syria.
In a statement, the Council expressed 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 Daesh.
It called 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 have reached a more dangerous level with the recent violations of Turkish airspace on October 3 and 4 by Russian Air Force SU-30 and SU-24 aircraft in the Hatay region," it noted.
"The aircraft in question entered Turkish airspace despite Turkish authorities' clear, timely and repeated warnings. In accordance with NATO practice, Turkish fighter aircraft responded to these incursions by closing to identify the intruder, after which the Russian planes departed Turkish airspace," it said.
NATO strongly protested these violations of Turkish sovereign airspace, and condemned these incursions into and violations of NATO airspace.
It noted "the extreme danger of such irresponsible behaviour and called on the Russian Federation to cease and desist, and immediately explain these violations." The Council also called on the Russian side to take all necessary measures to ensure that such violations do not take place in the future.
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