In the war which has been going on in Syria for about 6 years, the ceasefire provided by the mediation of Turkiye and Russia revived the hopes of peace in the New Year.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with the German news agency DPA pointed out that the NATO’s dilemma and that NATO is not a world police, that they would not be able to act without being authorized by the UN, and that they did not see Russia as a threat.

Stoltenberg's answers to the questions of DPA...

NATO is the most powerful military alliance in the world, defining itself as a "pioneer force in peace and security." So how the alliance was remained a mere spectator in 2016 when the war in Syria raised?

We know that military power is a very powerful tool. But again, we know that military power does not always solve the problems. Sometimes the use of military force can make a terrible situation worse. NATO allies analyzed the situation in Syria and the result was that using military force could worsen the situation even more. Military power is a difficult decision to use, but sometimes it can be difficult to decide not to use it.

NATO has previously taken action to end state-organized killings in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Libya...

Yes, but it was based on UN resolution. However, we have seen how the UN is blocked in Syria, how the Security Council couldn’t decide. This situation weakened the ability of the international community to react.

How can NATO accept this?

The use of military force by NATO allies against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad without explicit authorization by the UN risks further exacerbating the crisis in Aleppo and Syria. This can make the human situation in Syria, which is already terrible, worse and can lead to a regional problem spreading over a wider area.

Has NATO not acted to send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he can do what he wants out of NATO territory? Can’t you at least apply weapons embargo and flight ban zone?

NATO's main task is to protect NATO allies and allies' lands. NATO is not a world police ... If we always decide to use military force, we lead to more problems and more people will suffer from it.

You and other officials have expressed several times that Russia is not an immediate threat to NATO countries. But NATO because of the crisis in Ukraine also has launched the biggest operation of supplements experienced since the Cold War. The alliance will deploy the eastern wing of the four multinational battalions starting from 2017. There are also those who warned of war-provocation, such as German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. What are you going to say about this?

We must remember why NATO positions troops in the Baltic States. This is to maintain peace and maintain peace in an environment where Russia has increased its military strength and is willing to use against its neighbors Ukraine. However, we are responsive, proportionate and defensive. The goal is not to make trouble, but to prevent problems. For this reason, we are deploying a few thousand troops in three Baltic countries and Poland against tens of thousands of troops of Russia. It is a limited presence but it gives a clear message that we are there to protect each other.

Ever since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, you and the other authorities are paying attention to the message that this will not have much effect on the alliance. Would the pro-Russian stance of the president and foreign minister, who will really take over the task, lead to a policy change?

I had meeting Donald Trump. We made a phone call a few weeks ago. He strongly expressed his commitment to NATO, transatlantic ties, cooperation between North America and Europe. In December, the US Congress quadrupled the budget for the US presence in Europe. I am confident that the United States will its part and continue to exist in Europe and remain committed to transatlantic partnerships. But at the same time I think it is important to talk to the Russians. Dialogue is more important than ever, when the tension rises. We need to sit down and talk for a more constructive partnership and relationship with Russia and reduce the escalating tensions.

If we look at 2017, which is the biggest security threat for NATO in the new year: Russia or international terrorism?

This is a very different struggle. Russia is a state, a neighbor and not an urgent threat to any NATO country. We are struggling for a more constructive relationship with Russia. Russia does not go anywhere. We are trying to reduce tension and strive for dialogue. ISIS is completely different. They are a criminal organization, an organization responsible for the terrorist attacks against NATO capitals. The terrorist attack in Berlin reminded us once more in a brutal way that we can not defend ourselves 100% against the attacks of those who are ready to use all means to suffer, in open and liberal societies. This is a risk associated with our life and we will continue to live with it in 2017. Purpose to crush and destroy the ISIS. (ILKHA)