ANTALYA
More effective methods are needed to tackle Daesh, Turkey's foreign minister has claimed.
Speaking on Thursday, Mevlut Cavusoglu's remarks came during the final day of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Turkey’s southern province of Antalya.
"There is no comprehensive strategy for fighting against Daesh. The strategies so far, including the air strikes, have been inadequate in stopping Daesh," Cavusoglu told reporters.
Cavusoglu said he exchanged views on Daesh with his counterparts both during bilateral meetings and during sessions.
"There is consensus [among us] on the inadequacy in fighting against Daesh, on the political transformation in Syria and on strengthening the national guards [army] in Iraq," said Cavusoglu.
The foreign minister said steps should be taken regarding the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad: "The factors that cause Daesh, including the regime, should not to be ignored."
Before Cavusoglu's speech, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would continue to protect and defend every ally against any security threat.
"Today, we will discuss the evolving security challenges in our eastern and southern neighborhoods. To the east, a more assertive Russia has acted to change borders and intimidate neighbors. To the south, turmoil and violent extremism have reached a level unprecedented in modern times," Stoltenberg said.
He also said: "With the greater NATO readiness, more support from neighbors, enhanced cooperation with the EU, we can help stabilize our neighbors to the east and to the south. We must work for our neighbors and with our neighbors."
NATO enlargement
Cavusoglu also said Turkey was in favor of enlargement of the 28-member NATO bloc.
At the moment, four countries aspire to membership: Bosnia-Herzegovina; Montenegro; Macedonia and Russia’s southern neighbor, Georgia.
"We think that the countries which are taking steps regarding this issue, should be responded to positively," said Cavusoglu.
