Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara Nov. 17, 2017. Turkey has decided to withdraw its 40 soldiers from a NATO military exercise in Norway after the Turkish Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and its current president were included among targets of "enemies," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya)
ANKARA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Head of NATO apologized Saturday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via phone after the Turkish leader's name appeared on an "enemy chart" at the alliance's drills in Norway, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
During the phone call, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told Erdogan that an inquiry had been initiated by the commanding officer and the contracted Norwegian technician involved in the incident was terminated immediately.
Stoltenberg stressed Turkey is an important ally for NATO and that he would take all necessary precautions to prevent such an incident from happening again, according to a presidential source.
NATO chief hoped the scandal would not have negative impact on relations between NATO and Turkey.
On Friday, Turkey announced to withdraw 40 Turkish troops from the exercise in Norway after Erdogan's name and the picture of Turkish Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk were used in an "enemy chart."
Following the insulting incident, Stoltenberg had also apologized to Turkey in a written statement on Friday as well as to Turkish military chief during a face-to-face meeting in Canada.
"Turkey's alliance with NATO should not be undermined," Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar said on Saturday at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada.
"NATO administrators responded timely and appropriately. We should not allow anyone to undermine our alliance and our solidarity," he said.
