Newsletters
Türkiye is ready to assume greater responsibility in various efforts regarding the future of European security, according to Foreign Ministry sources, who stated, "One of the priority areas for us at the [NATO Foreign Ministers Informal Meeting] will be the establishment and maintenance of peace and stability in regions adjacent to the Alliance and in the Middle East."
Türkiye is hosting the NATO Foreign Ministers Informal Meeting, which will conclude tomorrow. According to information obtained from Foreign Ministry sources, the meeting in Antalya demonstrates the importance Türkiye attaches to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security.
Having hosted Allied Foreign Ministers in Antalya in May 2015, Türkiye will host the NATO Summit next year. The NATO Foreign Ministers Informal Meeting will begin today with a dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The meeting, which will continue tomorrow morning, is of special importance as it will comprehensively address preparations for the NATO Summit to be held in The Hague on June 24-25.
At the meeting, the present and especially the future of European security will be among the priority topics. In this context, transatlantic burden-sharing, increasing defense expenditures, and European allies taking on a greater role in the continent's security will be discussed.
The need to end the war in Ukraine and achieve fair and lasting peace as soon as possible will also be discussed.
Foreign Ministry sources emphasized that Türkiye's important and critical contributions to European security are evident, stating, "Türkiye, with its strong army, modern military capabilities, and dynamic defense industry, is a fundamental pillar of the European security architecture. Türkiye's defense expenditures are above NATO's 2 percent criterion. Our significant personnel and capability contributions to the Alliance's operations and missions continue."
Sources stressed that as a capable and willing ally, Türkiye is ready to assume greater responsibility in various efforts regarding the future of European security, adding, "One of the priority areas for us at the meeting will be the establishment and maintenance of peace and stability in regions adjacent to the Alliance and in the Middle East. Türkiye, which makes such important contributions to the Alliance, demands sincere and genuine solidarity among allies in the fight against terrorism, which is one of the main threats to NATO. Naturally, we will record this rightful demand on the occasion of the meeting."
The sources shared that the Turkish side will strongly express its demand for the complete removal of barriers to defense industry cooperation and trade among allies "without ifs and buts" as soon as possible, stating, "We believe that this meeting and the Hague Summit in June will serve to strengthen unity and solidarity among allies."
1 min read
3 min read
