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A Turkish general has been appointed to a key leadership position within NATO's command structure, marking a significant milestone in Türkiye's relationship with the alliance.
The Ministry of National Defense announced that Brigadier General Eray Unguder has been selected as NATO's "Director of Cooperative Security," a position of critical importance within the organization.
In their statement, defense ministry sources highlighted the historic nature of this appointment: "For the first time in NATO history, our country will be represented at the director level at NATO's International Military Staff (IMS) in Brussels." This achievement represents a breakthrough in Türkiye's presence within the alliance's senior leadership structure, placing a Turkish officer in one of the organization's most influential positions.
According to the ministry statement, Brigadier General Unguder will undertake crucial responsibilities in his new role. His duties will include strengthening cooperation between NATO, partner countries, and international organizations; developing military policies for NATO capacity building; and establishing stability beyond NATO's borders. These areas of responsibility reflect the increasing importance of cooperative security in NATO's strategic approach and Türkiye's involvement in shaping the alliance's engagement with partners around the world.
The defense ministry emphasized that this appointment should be viewed as "an important indicator of Türkiye's effective role in NATO and its contribution to the security and stability of the Alliance." The selection of a Turkish general for this position acknowledges Türkiye's strategic value and ongoing contributions to NATO operations and initiatives across multiple regions.
In the announcement, ministry officials reaffirmed Türkiye's dedication to the alliance, stating: "Our country, as a strong and reliable ally of NATO, will continue to maintain its contributions to the alliance's peace and security." This statement underscores Türkiye's continued commitment to NATO's collective defense and security objectives despite occasional tensions on certain policy issues.
The appointment comes as Türkiye also prepares to assume command of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) for a second time beginning in October 2025, further demonstrating the country's expanding role in NATO operations and leadership positions.
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