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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for NATO to build an "unconditional" security and defense network stretching "from Texas to Ankara," telling allied parliamentarians gathered in Istanbul that excluding Türkiye's defense capabilities from European security initiatives over "narrow political interests" benefits no one.
Speaking at the NATO Parliamentary Summit held at Dolmabahce Palace, Erdogan expressed his pleasure at hosting allied parliamentarians in Istanbul, which he described as "a crossroads of continents and cultures."
He called the gathering an important moment of preparation and solidarity ahead of the larger NATO summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8.
President Erdogan said Euro-Atlantic security is passing through a historic threshold, pointing to developments along the alliance's eastern and southeastern borders.
"The threats of war, crisis, terrorism and irregular migration occurring particularly along our alliance's eastern and southeastern borders make it necessary for us to reshape our understanding of security," he said.
He described the current period as one of profound uncertainty.
"As old patterns and old assumptions collapse one by one, it is not yet clear what will replace them, what will take their place. We find ourselves in the very middle of a period of uncertainty in which tension is rising instead of stability, chaos instead of order, predictability is decreasing, and no one can foresee what tomorrow morning will bring," Erdogan said.
He argued that established frameworks for describing global politics no longer apply, saying, "I want to particularly underline this point: the existing definitions describing the global system and politics have largely lost their meaning in today's world."
"The massacres we have recently witnessed, especially in Gaza and Lebanon, have opened deep wounds in humanity's conscience while also destroying the credibility of international institutions and theories. I don't think it's possible to explain the current situation with old concepts without recognizing this dimension of the new era," he added.
President Erdogan said Türkiye, as one of the countries with a say in developing the alliance's European pillar, has the will to be included in all defense and security initiatives on the continent.
"We expect your close attention and support, as parliamentarians, regarding Türkiye's inclusion in the defense and security initiatives announced by the European Union," he said.
"Excluding the capacity Türkiye possesses in the field of defense due to narrow political interests benefits no one. At this point, we must build an alliance-wide security and defense network stretching from Texas to Ankara, with no ifs or buts," the Turkish president noted.
He pointed to the NATO Defense Industry Forum to be held as part of the Ankara summit as a chance to showcase Türkiye's progress.
"Another distinguishing feature of our Ankara Summit will be its emphasis on defense industry cooperation. At the NATO Defense Industry Forum we will organize as part of the summit, we will showcase our advanced products while also addressing measures to make this cooperation much more effective," Erdogan said.
"Our allies and guests will see the significant progress Türkiye has made in the field of defense industry in a short period of time," he added.
The Turkish president said preserving NATO's deterrence and strengthening solidarity among allies has become more critical in this environment, and argued that Türkiye has read the spirit of the new era better than most.
"With a land border exceeding 1,800 kilometers (1,118.47 miles) with crisis regions, Türkiye, with its strong army, modern military capabilities and developed defense industry, has been among the leading allies contributing to NATO's security for more than 70 years," he said, adding that Türkiye takes active roles in NATO missions and supports the preservation of peace and stability.
He said Türkiye has increased its defense spending in line with commitments made at the Hague summit and now ranks among the top five allied contributors to NATO missions and operations.
"Despite our contributions, it is also a fact that the indispensable benefits Türkiye provides to European security are sometimes overlooked," Erdogan noted.
President Erdogan said NATO's 360-degree approach to security requires the alliance to also assess developments in Ukraine, the Persian Gulf and Palestine.
He said Türkiye would continue contributing, alongside Pakistan, Qatar and other friendly nations, toward securing a lasting resolution to the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
He said Türkiye is closely monitoring attacks targeting Lebanon that aim to undermine the agreement that has brought relief to the region and the world.
"We expect your support in ensuring that the genocidal network, which cannot tolerate stability in our region and even views it as a threat to its own security, is not given the opportunity for provocations," he said.
President Erdogan said the Palestinian issue lies at the root of Middle East tensions.
"Unfortunately, lasting peace cannot be achieved in our region until the occupation ends, until Israel's ever-increasing land seizures end," he said.
"The path to lasting peace is the two-state solution. An independent, sovereign Palestinian state with territorial integrity, within the 1967 borders, must be established without question. Significant responsibilities fall to you, the parliamentarians, in this process," the Turkish president noted.
He said Türkiye, due to its history, social structure and geostrategic position, has the experience to communicate simultaneously with a broad geography stretching from Europe to Asia and from the Balkans to Africa, and said Türkiye wishes to use this potential to the fullest extent for regional and world peace.
Erdogan stressed the need for progress toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue.
"As an ally that can speak with both sides, that has launched processes yielding results, and that has earned the trust of both sides through its fair stance, we will continue to actively contribute to peace efforts," he said.
He closed by wishing parliamentarians success ahead of a planned visit to Turkish defense industry companies.
"I thank our Grand National Assembly for this wonderful gathering. I hope your consultations and the decisions you make will bring good fortune to our alliance and to world peace," Erdogan concluded.
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