Key facts
- Turkey expects the upcoming NATO summit to emphasize alliance unity and resilience.
- President Erdogan called for the lifting of defense trade restrictions.
- Erdogan wants Turkey to be more involved in European defense plans.
- The summit will discuss the wars in Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza.
- Turkey expects more support in its fight against the PKK insurgency.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that the upcoming NATO summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, must emphasize alliance unity and resilience. He called for the lifting of restrictions on defense trade and for Turkey's greater involvement in initiatives to bolster European security.
Erdogan expressed Turkey's expectation that the summit would yield results safeguarding allies' national security sensitivities and strengthening solidarity. He noted that discussions would cover the wars in Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza. Turkey also expects increased support for its efforts to end the PKK's insurgency and for greater inclusion in European defense plans.
He argued that defense industry trade restrictions, imposed due to regional policy differences and Turkey's ties with Russia, damage the alliance's spirit and hinder development. Erdogan asserted that Turkey meets NATO's defense spending targets but believes its contributions to European security are sometimes overlooked. He affirmed Turkey's will to participate in all European defense and security initiatives.