Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting NATO with its substantial military capabilities during the NATO summit held in Ankara. Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s status as having the largest land army in Europe and reiterated its readiness to serve the alliance whenever needed.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Erdogan, speaking at the summit’s opening session, highlighted Turkey’s advancements in its defense industries, noting that the country is now among the top ten globally in terms of production and export capacity. He stressed the importance of removing restrictions on defense cooperation among NATO allies, describing it as essential for achieving “NATO 3.0.”

The Turkish president warned against excluding non-EU allies, emphasizing that such actions could lead to unnecessary divisions within Europe. During the Defense Industries Forum, held alongside the NATO summit, Erdogan welcomed the focus on lifting restrictions among allies.

Erdogan also announced plans to increase Turkey’s defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2030, reflecting Turkey’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities. On the international front, he expressed appreciation for former US President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran and reiterated Turkey’s willingness to help clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding Ukraine, Erdogan voiced his support for the country while maintaining open communication with Russia to foster peace. He aligned with Trump’s vision for peace in Ukraine and backed the “Priority Needs List” initiative for Ukraine.

Erdogan further emphasized the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East, urging calm in regions like Gaza and Lebanon. He called for unwavering solidarity among NATO countries in combating terrorism in all its forms.