Turkey is a strategic bridge between Central Asia, Middle East, North America and Europe, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told TRT channel.

Rasmussen who arrived in Istanbul for informal meeting of NATO defense ministers, expressed gratitude to Turkish armed forces, underlining their contribution to peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan.

Secretary General also stated that after completion of mission in Afghanistan, NATO troops will be withdrawn from the country. Our paramount objective at this stage is training of Afghan security forces, he added.

Meeting of NATO defense ministers (28 members of alliance) takes place in Istanbul today. Situation in Afghanistan and new NATO strategic plan are in focus.

Rasmussen is expected to make a plea to alliance member states to send extra training teams to Afghanistan.

RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan also participates in the meeting, on February 4-5, 2010.

A.G.