NATO to Set New Middle East Foundation in Istanbul

A NATO Dialogue program called ‘Istanbul Cooperation Initiative’ will pave the way for military cooperation with Middle Eastern countries. The Gulf countries in particular will be invited to develop ‘joint understanding and cooperation’ in security issues.

According to NATO sources, this new initiative has no connection with the political structures of the countries and it will serve as a means of harmonizing military security systems and personnel.

Turkish diplomatic sources also confirmed the plan. They emphasized that the initiative would be based upon mutual understanding and the countries would be under no obligation to participate.

In addition, the Mediterranean Dialogue process between North African countries and the European Union (EU) will develop a ‘partnership’ with NATO so that the existing political cooperation can be expanded into the military sphere.