President Gül says Turkey's principled stance helped maintain NATO's prestige

Speaking to reporters after the NATO summit in Lisbon on Saturday, Gül said Turkey displayed a principled stance which helped maintain not only NATO's prestige but also avoid wearing down of the Alliance.

"Everybody has seen it. Turkey reminded NATO of its status as a defense organization and prevented a misunderstanding," Gül said.

"All these are results of efforts by Turkey and close cooperation between Turkey and the United States," he said.

Turkey welcomed the new strategic concept adopted by NATO countries at Lisbon summit as Iran was not specifically mentioned as a threat in the NATO document that would shape the future of the Alliance for the next decade and maybe more.

Amid discussions on a planned NATO missile shield project, Turkey repeatedly said that NATO should not target any other country as a threat and this view was reflected in the paper.

"The Alliance does not consider any country to be its adversary. However, no one should doubt NATO's resolve if the security of any of its members were to be threatened," the NATO document said.

On Afghanistan and Russia, Gül said Turkey welcomed also outcomes of meetings with Afghan and Russian presidents.

On a question about his meeting with US President Barack Obama, Gül said the meeting focused on terrorism and NATO-EU relations.

Following the NATO summit in Lisbon, Gül returned to Turkey on Saturday night.