Ties with EU, North Korea to dominate NATO meeting

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - NATO's foreign ministers are to discuss such issues as North Korea, cooperation with the EU and the fight against terrorism this week, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.

Stoltenberg, speaking ahead of a two-day meeting due to start on Tuesday said the foreign ministers would discuss North Korea on Tuesday since the Alliance's security was linked to events in East Asia.

"Our partners in the region are at risk. And North Korea’s actions are also undermining the global non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament regimes," Stoltenberg said.

He said that the world needed to apply "maximum" pressure on North Korea, adding: "NATO has faced ballistic missile threats for decades."

Stoltenberg indicated that the meeting would begin with discussions on NATO-EU cooperation and European defense.

He said NATO and the EU have never worked together "as closely and systemically" in many different areas, such as countering cyberattacks.

"But I hope that we will agree to do even more with the EU. And in more areas. Our aim is to make military mobility a new flagship for our cooperation," he said.

Stoltenberg said NATO was seeking to strengthen cooperation on countering terrorist threats.

On Wednesday, ministers are to address NATO’s role in projecting stability and the fight against terrorism.

Stoltenberg said the meeting would be concluded with a meeting on NATO’s open-door policy.

"As Montenegro’s recent accession has shown, membership in the Alliance is possible for countries which make real progress in reform and modernization," he said.

Answering a question on whether Serbia would be joining NATO, Stoltenberg said: "Now, there are no talks about Serbia joining NATO. The reason is that Serbia has clearly stated that they are not aiming [for] membership in NATO."