NATO head criticises U.S. presidential candidate Perry's remarks on Turkey

BRUSSELS (A.A) – January 18, 2012 – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen criticised remarks of U.S. Presidential candidate Rick Perry about Turkey. I strongly object these remarks, said Rasmussen during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels on Wednesday. Rasmussen said he fully agreed with the statement of Turkish Foreign Ministry about the issue. Perry drew Turkey's reaction after suggesting the country is ruled by Islamic terrorists and questioning its NATO membership. Turkey's Foreign Ministry released a statement saying Perry's comments were "baseless and inappropriate" and that the United States has no time to waste with candidates "who do not even know their allies." The U.S. State Department also distanced the U.S. government from Perry's remarks. Turkey said it was "strongly condemning" Perry's words. "Turkey joined NATO while the governor was still 2 years old," the statement said. "It is a member that has made important contributions to the trans-Atlantic alliance's conflict-full history. It is among countries that are at the front lines in the fight against terrorism."