IZMIR
Admiral James Stavridis said that Turkey contributed significantly to NATO as of its geographical location and military competence and added, "it is possible to see the great job Turkey is doing everywhere NATO goes". He emphasized Turkey's contribution to NATO's presence in Afghanistan, Libya and the Balkans at the ceremony organized for the inauguration of the NATO Allied Land Command in western province of Izmir.
Admiral James Stavridis also said that they saw the structuring in Izmir as part of NATO's future.
General Hodges in response to the questions, following the ceremony said, "The evaluation team composed of officials from USA, Germany, the Netherlands and NATO were assigned in less than one week by the ally upon Turkey's Patriot request. I expect the evaluation team to complete their work in a few days. If deployment of the patriots are accepted, it will be done to protect the Turkish people. The aim of the Patriots is never to create a no-fly zone or to attack."
The new command will serve as a base for carrying out land operations when ordered by NATO Allied Land Command upon the inspection, evaluation, preparation, sufficiency and standardization of NATO land forces.
