Erdoğan says Turkey to oppose NATO plan if it does not recognise terrorism threats

Turkey expects solidarity within NATO against terror threats, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.

Speaking at Turkey's airport before departing for a NATO summit in London, Erdoğan said that it is inevitable for NATO to renew itself, and that Ankara expects the alliance's "unconditional" support in its fighter against terror.

Turkey will oppose NATO's plan for the defense of Baltic countries if the alliance does not recognise groups that Turkey is fighting as terrorists, Erdoğan added.

Ankara has refused to back a NATO defense plan for the Baltics and Poland until it receives more support for its battle with the YPG, which it views as a terrorist organisation.

Erdoğan said he had spoken to Polish President Andrzej Duda on the phone on Monday and had agreed to meet with him and leaders of Baltic countries in London to discuss the issue.

"With pleasure, we can come together and discuss these issues there as well," he said. "But if our friends at NATO do not recognise as terrorist organisations those we consider terrorist organisations ... we will stand against any step that will be taken there