We have observed that some reports based on inaccurate and incomplete information have been published in the Turkish press regarding the appointment made by the NATO Secretary General to the position of Assistant Secretary General presently held by a Turkish Ambassador.

These reports claim that NATO Secretary General Rasmussen has dismissed his Assistant, Ambassador Hüseyin Diriöz. This information does not reflect the truth. Ambassador Diriöz has been chosen for the said office by the Secretary General in 2010 for a period of three years and his term expires on October 3, 2013. Hüseyin Diriöz is expected to be reappointed abroad as an Ambassador at the end of his term with the NATO Secretariat. Moreover, some Allies, including Turkey, have nominated candidates for the position that will be vacated by Ambassador Diriöz. The NATO Secretariat pursues the Allies’ balanced and fair representation in its appointments. Thirty-eight Turkish citizens are presently working at various levels at the Secretariat.

On the other hand, contrary to what is claimed in the reports, NATO does not have any relation with the Greek Cypriot Administration.