NATO summit in Riga: Tony Blair speaking to press on Afghanistan

NATO summit in Riga: Tony Blair speaking to press on Afghanistan; - In respect of Iraq I've said all I wanted to say at the press conference yesterday / In respect of Afghanistan, important we recognise contributions made by countries like France and Germany, not just in Afghanistan but Lebanon as well, we are satisfied with what has been said, not just in terms of their troops being deployed to help in emergency, but also additional helicopters and so forth announced by President of France yesterday, removal of caveats by various nations is important / Question of making sure the gap in forces and equipment is made up, thousand troops that have been announced by Poland is very important, further offers of equipment, reduction in number of caveats / Truth is there has been progress but still need to make those last remaining steps - Complete acceptance around the table that NATO's credibility is on the line in respect of this mission and that if NATO stands for anything, defence of values of liberty, democracy, defended now in Afghanistan and if we don't make sure this mission succeeds it will have a devastating impact on our own security, we will continue to do everything we can, hope remaining gaps are filled in time to come - Don't think I'll comment on the last bit (about Molly Campbell) / There is going to be a real challenge to make sure that Turkey's succession proceeds the way we want it to, but in Europe we face a division today between short term political considerations and long term strategic interests of Europe and the wider world which is to have Turkey inside the European Union / What I've said with the Turkish Prime Minister today is that we'll continue with other countries that feel the same as Britain does on the issue of Turkey's membership to EU, find a way through before the European Council, that is the critical date, we have got to make sure that we allow Turkey's accession to proceed, compromises all round, at the moment to send an adve...