NATO Secretary General praises Turkey for aiding Spain, Italy in fight against coronavirus
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has praised Turkey for sending medical aid to Spain and Italy, the countries worst hit by the novel coronavirus in Europe, saying that he is proud to see NATO allies supporting each other through the alliance's disaster relief center. "#NATO solidarity in action: Turkey sending a cargo plane with medical supplies to Italy & Spain today to support our joint fight against #COVID19," said Stoltenberg on Twitter on April 1.
Duvar English
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has praised Turkey for sending medical aid to Spain and Italy, the countries worst hit by the novel coronavirus in Europe.
"#NATO solidarity in action: Turkey sending a cargo plane with medical supplies to Italy & Spain today to support our joint fight against #COVID19," said Stoltenberg on Twitter on April 1.
"Proud to see NATO Allies supporting each other through our disaster relief center. #StrongerTogether," he added.
Turkish Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın replied to Stoltenberg's tweet.
"Turkey stands together with its allies in times of crisis and hardship. We hope the allies do the same," Kalın said.
The Italian delegation to NATO also thanked Turkey on Twitter.
"Following Italy’s activation of NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, today our ally Turkey will deliver critical medical equipment to Italy. Deeply grateful to our Turkish friends for their solidarity!" said the delegation.
The Spanish delegation to NATO also expressed gratitude.
"After Spain's request to NATO's EADRCC, a new supply to fight Covid-19 arrives from our Ally Turkey," it said.
A Turkish military aircraft carrying medical aid departed from the capital Ankara on April 1 for Italy and Spain.
"Upon the instructions of President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan], health supplies consisting of masks, overalls and anti-bacterial fluids, produced domestically in the Defense Ministry’s factories and sewing facilities with local resources, will be sent by TAF aircraft to Italy and Spain to combat COVID-19," Turkish Defense Ministry said on Twitter.
Italy's death toll reached 12,428 on March 31, the highest globally. Spain have reported 8,189 fatalities so far.