Newsletters
NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone declared that Türkiye will be one of the key actors in the Russia-Ukraine peace process, praising the country's strategic position and diplomatic efforts during a conference in Istanbul.
Speaking at the 18th Conference of Chiefs of Staff of Balkan Countries held at the Multinational Joint Warfare Center Command, Dragone emphasized Türkiye's crucial role within the NATO alliance and its ongoing contributions to regional stability.
"Türkiye is doing a lot for the alliance. It is the second army of the alliance. We cannot disregard this. This means something. The combat readiness and efficiency of Türkiye's armed forces are no doubt at the very top," Dragone stated during his press briefing.
The NATO official described Türkiye as "a strong pillar, a strong reference, a strong and reliable ally," underlining the country's operational capabilities and contributions to NATO missions, particularly in conflict zones.
Dragone noted that Türkiye serves as a fundamental element of NATO's overall strategy and actively contributes to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), which it will command beginning in October.
"You can feel how important and how strong Türkiye is for us, for the alliance, and how much the alliance relies on Türkiye. This is a fact. And the KFOR example is just one of many," he added.
Regarding Türkiye's diplomatic initiatives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Dragone acknowledged the country's substantial contributions from the beginning of the war.
"Türkiye has done a lot from the very beginning. Let's just think about prisoner exchanges. These were probably done thanks to Türkiye. Türkiye hosted meetings, and therefore its participation and desire to play a strong role in the peace process is very clear," he explained.
Despite acknowledging that current negotiations are not in a favorable position, Dragone expressed confidence in Türkiye's continued efforts: "We think that Türkiye's efforts will continue and if anything happens, good results will emerge. Türkiye will be one of the main actors in the peace process."
The admiral emphasized Türkiye's strategic advantage due to its geographical position, noting it is "one of the countries right on the edge of the war."
Dragone reported that "NATO's posture is stronger than ever," identifying Russia and terrorism as the alliance's two primary threats.
"NATO's strategy is being ready," he stated, explaining that the alliance is enhancing its defense capabilities based on lessons learned from Ukraine to adapt to changing environments and evolving threats.
He emphasized NATO's commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating: "We must keep in mind that there is an aggressor, Russia, and a victim, Ukraine. This is the starting point. We strongly support Ukraine. We will continue to do this as best we can."
1 min read
The NATO chairman praised Türkiye's pioneering role in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, calling it "one of the first countries to understand the importance and growth potential of unmanned aerial vehicles."
"Yours are at the top. Yours are combat-proven, which means something," Dragone said, referring to Turkish UAVs' battlefield success.
He highlighted that UAVs save many lives and represent a critical element for future battlefield considerations, noting their functional use in air, sea, and land operations.
"The use at sea is new and critical," Dragone observed, emphasizing how unmanned underwater vehicles enable cost-effective patrol, intervention, and deterrence operations.
Addressing defense industry expectations, Dragone called for a shift in approach: "They need to change their mindset. They should no longer look just for money but need to be part of the defense system."
He emphasized the goal of meeting NATO's operational capabilities and requirements in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Dragone lastly thanked Türkiye for its "extraordinary and surprising organization and hospitality" during the Balkan conference, describing it as an excellent opportunity to bring together all military leaders of the region.
The conference facilitated idea exchanges and achieved a common understanding for the region's security and stability, with participants contributing to the balance and stability the region needs.
In related news, International Security General Director Basat Ozturk has been appointed as Türkiye's Permanent Representative to NATO, according to an official decree published in the Official Gazette and signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
3 min read
