The NATO summit in Ankara will be of critical importance to the Alliance, says Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the NATO leaders’ summit, to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, will be one of the most crucial for the future of the Alliance and the entire international security system.
The Turkish leader made these remarks while speaking with journalists upon his return from Kazakhstan.
According to the Turkish president, the current global situation differs significantly from the period when NATO was founded, so the Alliance must respond to new challenges.
“The NATO Leaders’ Summit, which we will host in Ankara on July 7–8, is of critical importance in the history of the Alliance. Recent events both in our region and around the world have further heightened the importance of the Ankara summit,” Erdogan stated.
He emphasized that modern threats have become significantly more complex, and the global security system has undergone serious changes.
“We expect that important decisions regarding the future of the Alliance and the future shape of the global security architecture will be made in Ankara. The modern world is no longer a continuation of the old world that existed at the time of NATO’s creation. Threats have become more complex, risks have diversified, the global system has become blurred—in short, the world has changed dramatically,” the Turkish president emphasized.
Erdogan also stated that Ankara supports the strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance and is ready to contribute to the formation of a more effective collective security system.
According to him, the following remain important for NATO’s future:
- a fair distribution of the security burden;
- sincere cooperation among allies;
- a shared understanding of contemporary threats.
“Fair burden-sharing, sincere cooperation, and a shared understanding of security within NATO are very important for the Alliance’s future. As Turkey, we are ready to contribute to a NATO that is more resolute and better prepared for threats,” Erdogan added.
