Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has underscored the significance of the NATO summit hosted by Ankara as a pivotal moment in aligning the alliance's structures to address evolving security challenges. The summit is seen as a crucial step in solidifying NATO's capability to adapt to new threats and ensure a cohesive security environment in the Euro-Atlantic region.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fidan, in a post on the "X" platform, emphasized that the outcomes of the 36th NATO summit will extend beyond immediate concerns, shaping the security landscape for years to come. Highlighting Turkey's readiness to host key leaders under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership, Fidan stressed the importance of building a more cohesive and resilient alliance amid international changes.
Fidan elaborated on the necessity of evolving NATO's focus beyond traditional collective defense, addressing the complexity of modern threats that span military, technological, and industrial realms. He advocated for enhanced deployable capabilities, improved operational readiness, and the development of defense industries to meet these multifaceted challenges.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also pointed out the crucial role Turkey plays in European security, arguing that a comprehensive approach involving all NATO allies is essential, rather than limiting security efforts to the European Union's borders. He emphasized the importance of collaborative defense industries, citing Turkey and Britain's significant defense capabilities as key to the alliance's success.
Fidan addressed the need for Europe to take on more defense responsibilities, interpreting the United States' calls for burden-sharing as an opportunity to bolster strategic capabilities rather than mere pressure. He criticized existing restrictions on defense industry cooperation, suggesting they hinder the alliance's efficiency in responding to threats.
Further, Fidan commented on the manageable nature of US-European disagreements within NATO, asserting that they will not escalate into a crisis at the summit. He highlighted the significance of US President Donald Trump's participation in maintaining alliance unity and addressing contentious issues.
On European security, Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's support for Ukraine's sovereignty while advocating for open diplomatic channels with Russia to achieve long-term stability. He concluded by emphasizing the opportunity presented by the Ankara summit to restructure NATO cooperation to meet current and future challenges effectively.
This is the second time Turkey is hosting the NATO summit, the first being in Istanbul in 2004, underscoring the growing importance of this meeting amid global security shifts and challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic defense framework.