“NATO was informed by the Turkish authorities about the start of the operation in Syria,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

LIVE: Watch #NATO Secretary General @ jensstoltenberg's press conference with 🇮🇹 Prime Minister @GiuseppeConteIT in #Rome. https://t.co/p6Br2t12LA

- Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) October 9, 2019

The Secretary-General emphasized that it was important to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.

“I’m sure that any actions that Turkey will take in northern Syria will be balanced,” he added.

Earlier, Erdogan announced the start of the operation of the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria.

According to the head of state, the operation "will eliminate the terrorist threat against Turkey."