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Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler called on European countries on Tuesday to take on more responsibility within NATO, arguing that a stronger European role should reinforce the alliance rather than compete with it.
Speaking at the "Allies in Ankara" program organized by the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and the SETA Foundation ahead of the NATO summit, Guler said Europe is facing an increasingly complex security environment that requires allies to step up their contributions.
Guler welcomed Europe's efforts to boost defense spending but stressed that new security initiatives should complement NATO rather than create alternative security structures.
"A stronger European pillar should reinforce the transatlantic bond while NATO remains the cornerstone of Europe's collective defense," he said.
He also argued that European defense initiatives should remain open to NATO allies outside the European Union.
"Excluding Türkiye, one of the leading members of the international security architecture with its military capacity, advanced defense industry, operational experience and geostrategic position, will not make Europe more secure," Guler said.
Turning to Türkiye's defense priorities, Guler said the country will focus over the next three years on air and ballistic missile defense systems, long-range strike capabilities, and both manned and unmanned platforms to meet NATO capability targets and national defense needs.
He highlighted the rapid expansion of Türkiye's defense industry, citing advances in unmanned systems, air defense technologies, electronic warfare, munitions, naval platforms, aviation and command-and-control capabilities.
Construction is currently underway on 50 military ships in Türkiye, including export projects, while next-generation air platforms continue to shape modern warfare, he noted. Those capabilities, Guler added, could also help close NATO's production and capability gaps when integrated across the alliance.
Guler described the NATO summit in Ankara as a key opportunity for allies to reinforce unity and address defense investment targets, defense industrial production, support for Ukraine and NATO's deterrence posture.
"The message from Ankara must be clear: Our commitment to Article 5 is unwavering, and political commitments will be backed by credible military power," he said.
He added that allies are turning higher defense spending into ready forces, resilient infrastructure, sustainable ammunition stockpiles and modern capabilities, while calling for closer cooperation on defense production, innovation and emerging technologies to strengthen NATO's long-term deterrence.
The 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit is being held in Ankara on July 7-8, hosted by Türkiye. Alongside the 32 member states, leaders of Asia-Pacific NATO partners and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are attending. On the summit's first day, leaders will convene at what is described as "the most comprehensive" NATO Defense Industry Forum held to date.
The summit's main agenda items, including Europe assuming primary responsibility for conventional defense and the "NATO 3.0" vision for recalibrating the U.S. military presence in Europe, will be addressed in sessions on the second day. Unity and solidarity remain the top expectations from the summit, despite recent transatlantic tensions.
The Ankara summit is drawing a large international media presence.
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