During the Trident Javelin 2017 NATO table top exercise that is being conducted in Norway at the joint warfare Centre, the picture of a statute of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, our great leader and the founder of our Republic was shown among the leaders of the fictitious adversary countries. Moreover, through a fake account created within the closed-circuit exercise messaging system, using the name of our President, Turkey was tried to be portrayed as cooperating with hostile counties. We find this regrettable, unethical and unacceptable.

Immediately after receiving information about this incident, Turkish soldiers’ participation in the exercise was cancelled and our deep disturbance of the incident was immediately conveyed to NATO and Norwegian authorities. Following the meeting of our Permanent Representative at NATO with the Deputy Secretary General today (17 November), NATO Secretary General issued a statement. Our Embassy in Oslo has also made the necessary demarches both to Norwegian and NATO military authorities in Norway.

NATO Secretary General also contacted with our Minister and apologized.

The execution of the necessary punitive measures for the perpetrators of this appalling incident will be closely monitored.