Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday NATO allies should cooperate more closely in the fight against terrorism and that rapid information sharing was crucial.
Erdoğan, speaking in Ankara before flying to Brussels for a summit of NATO leaders and a meeting with European Union leaders, also said Turkey was not seeking to break with the EU but that the bloc must fulfill its own responsibilities.
Turkey's relations with NATO and the EU have been strained by differences over Syria policy with the United States and by open disagreements with European leaders during last month's referendum.
Turkey would tell Germany "goodbye" if it decided to withdraw its troops from the Incirlik air force base, Erdoğan added
Erdoğan also said that Turkey had not received any indication from Berlin on the possible withdrawal of troops stationed at the southern Turkish air force base.
The future of the German troops at Incirlik has been thrown into question after Turkey blocked German lawmakers from visiting the troops this month, prompting Berlin to say it may consider moving the troops.
Some 250 German troops are stationed at Incirlik, where they contribute to the U.S.-led fight against Daesh.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his Justice and Development (AK) Party's Central Executive Board will be decided after this week’s Brussels visit to attend a NATO leaders’ summit.
Taking journalists' questions in Ankara, Erdoğan said he would make decisions about the ruling AK Party's future with the Central Executive Board and make an administrative plan that will carry on until the beginning of 2018.
Erdoğan rejoined the AK Party at a special ceremony in the capital Ankara on May 2.
Under previous constitutional rules, a Turkish president could not hold membership of a political party. The April 16 referendum on constitutional reforms overturned that rule.
When asked about a recent initiative by the Turkish government to block Austria from NATO partnerships, Erdogan said: "Those who block, get blocked. Simple as that."
Turkey will veto Austria’s participation in some NATO activities so long as Vienna continues its “anti-Turkey stance” on EU platforms, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.
Relations between Turkey -- a NATO member since 1952 -- and Austria (a non-NATO country) have soured after Vienna voiced criticism against Ankara and its EU accession process.
