Turkey to 'not allow' Austria's participation in NATO

By Sultan Cogalan and Nazli Yuzbasioglu

ANKARA

Turkey will not allow Austria’s participation in NATO activities as long as Vienna continues its anti-Turkey stance on European Union platforms, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said on Tuesday.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Earlier, various media outlets reported that Turkey was vetoing NATO’s cooperation with Austria.

Relations between Turkey -- a NATO member since 1952 -- and Austria have soured after Vienna voiced criticism against Ankara and its EU accession process.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend a NATO leaders’ summit on May 25 in Brussels.