UPDATE - Turkey is key partner for NATO, says secretary general

ADDS US SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S TRAVEL DETAILS

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS (AA) – Turkey is a key partner for NATO and its close relations with Russia do not a create problem, the Alliance's secretary general said on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference, Jens Stoltenberg said over the next two days, NATO foreign ministers will meet and address the most pressing security challenges the allies are facing and how to respond.

“Turkey is a key ally for different reasons. But not least for its strategic geographical location bordering Iraq and Syria ... Turkey is key to manage the refugee crisis and ... in our fight against [Daesh],” he said.

He also said Turkey was also “important for Europe in addressing different kinds of challenges and security threats”.

Regarding Turkish-Russian relations, Stoltenberg said the recent close relations were not a problem for NATO.

“Obviously, Turkey's talks with Russia do not contradict its key alliance and [the country's] NATO obligations,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Brussels to attend the NATO foreign ministerial meeting, according to the State Department. The gathering is important in terms of the latest tensions between Turkey and EU.

"He'll meet there and discuss with allies, partners -- efforts to further strengthen NATO security, project stability to the alliance's east and south, and enhance NATO-E.U. cooperation," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said during a press briefing.

The meeting comes amid tensions between the U.S. and its NATO ally Turkey.