President Erdoğan: Ankara NATO Summit Reinforced Türkiye’s Strategic Position

ANKARA – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the 36th NATO Summit, hosted by Türkiye in Ankara, concluded successfully and demonstrated the country’s growing influence in global security and diplomacy.

According to Erdoğan, the summit brought together the heads of state and government of all 32 NATO member countries, along with nearly 100 ministers, senior diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and invited guests at the Presidential Complex.

He noted that extensive security, transportation, and coordination measures were implemented throughout the event while maintaining a balance between public safety and the daily lives of citizens.

Erdoğan also highlighted the summit’s large-scale international media operation. The Presidential National Library served as the main media center, providing workspaces, editing facilities, and broadcasting infrastructure for more than 2,500 journalists. Live coverage coordinated by Türkiye’s public broadcaster reached audiences across the globe.

The President expressed appreciation to security personnel, healthcare workers, transportation teams, technical staff, protocol officials, and everyone involved in organizing the summit. He also thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his cooperative approach during the preparations and execution of the event.

Erdoğan described the gathering as taking place during a period of profound changes in the international security landscape, driven by geopolitical competition, hybrid threats, regional conflicts, and emerging technologies. He said Türkiye’s military capabilities, strategic geography, diplomatic experience, and defense industry place the country among NATO’s key contributors.

The summit agenda included discussions on defense industrial cooperation, joint production initiatives, strengthening supply chains, and expanding collaboration among allied nations.

On the sidelines of the summit, Erdoğan held bilateral meetings with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

According to Erdoğan, these meetings focused on bilateral relations, defense cooperation, trade, energy security, European-Atlantic affairs, the Russia–Ukraine war, developments involving Iran and the United States, the situations in Gaza, Syria, and Libya, as well as broader regional stability.

He also announced that Türkiye and the United Kingdom signed a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement, while negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Canada were officially launched.

Speaking about his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Erdoğan said he expects constructive outcomes that align with Türkiye’s priorities in the defense sector, particularly regarding the KAAN national fighter aircraft program and the F-35 project.

The President said NATO leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture. Summit discussions also addressed removing barriers to defense trade among allies, expanding defense procurement, supporting Ukraine through military equipment, training, and assistance, and enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space technologies, integrated air and missile defense, unmanned systems, and long-range precision strike capabilities.

Erdoğan stated that Türkiye intends to increase defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP before 2030. He added that expenditures related to security and national resilience have already reached 1.5 percent, while an additional $24 billion has been allocated to strengthen the country’s air and missile defense capabilities under the Steel Dome Project.

The President reiterated that Türkiye will continue promoting diplomacy in the Russia–Ukraine conflict while supporting dialogue, de-escalation, and lasting peace in issues involving Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Libya.

Concluding his remarks, Erdoğan said the two-day summit demonstrated Türkiye’s role as a central actor capable of shaping NATO’s security agenda, facilitating dialogue during international crises, and contributing to the Alliance’s transformation through its expanding defense industry and diplomatic engagement.

President Erdoğan’s Statement

“The successful conclusion of the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara has once again highlighted Türkiye’s central role within the Alliance.

Our country is not only a host nation but also a strategic ally contributing directly to NATO’s defense, diplomacy, and crisis management efforts.

We reaffirmed our commitment to increasing defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP before 2030 and announced an additional $24 billion investment for the Steel Dome air and missile defense initiative.

Türkiye will continue working closely with its allies while contributing to regional stability, international security, and global peace.”

Kaynak: Cumhurbaşkanlığı