ISTANBUL

Türkiye on Wednesday congratulated Mark Rutte, the outgoing Dutch prime minister, who was named NATO's next secretary-general, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg.

"We also express our gratitude to Secretary-General Stoltenberg for his successful leadership since 2014," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Rutte will take over as secretary-general on Oct. 1 when Stoltenberg's term expires following 10 years at the helm of the alliance.