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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Ankara that allies must turn economic strength into military capabilities, as he addressed reporters at the Bestepe Presidential Complex during the 36th NATO Summit.
Speaking at the venue where the summit is taking place, Rutte opened his press briefing by thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Türkiye for hosting the alliance.
"Let me thank President Erdogan and his team for hosting us at this fantastic venue. I am truly impressed by the hospitality extended to us by our Turkish hosts," Rutte said.
Asked by a reporter whether the U.S. was splitting NATO rather than bringing it together, Rutte rejected the claim.
"It is not. It is bringing NATO close together," he said.
Rutte also said allies must focus on converting economic strength into military power as NATO members increase defense spending and expand military production.
Rutte said European allies and Canada had sharply increased their core defense spending over the past year and were moving toward matching U.S. defense spending levels.
"Last year, European allies and Canada spent nearly 20% more on core defense than they had the year before. European allies and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalize their defense spending with the U.S.," Rutte said.
He said new defense deals would be announced Tuesday at the Defense Industry Forum.
"We will announce tens of billions of dollars in new contracts at the Defence Industry Forum on Tuesday," he said.
Rutte also said U.S. President Donald Trump could be seen as the third U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower to bring about a situation in which Europeans and Canadians spend the same as Americans.
Rutte said Türkiye's leadership is important for NATO, pointing to the country's armed forces, defense industry and strategic position.
Türkiye has one of the largest armed forces in NATO and is well trained, he said.
Rutte said Türkiye has rapidly developed its defense industrial base over the past five to 10 years and now has about 3,000 companies producing defense output needed by the alliance.
"Ankara, Istanbul, Türkiye as a whole is really important. Your place on the map is important. Your leadership in NATO is important. The fact that you organized this summit in Ankara is evidence of that," Rutte said.
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