Erdoğan calls for NATO security network stretching “from Texas to Ankara”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for Türkiye’s full integration into the European defence architecture and urged the creation of a unified NATO security network extending “from Texas to Ankara,” TRT Haber reports.

Erdoğan emphasised that Türkiye is increasing its defence spending in line with commitments made at the NATO summit in The Hague and ranks among the alliance’s five largest contributors to NATO missions and operations.

At the same time, the Turkish leader said Ankara’s contribution to European security does not always receive the recognition it deserves.

The president stressed that Türkiye is ready to participate in all defence initiatives and security programs on the continent, including projects led by the European Union.

“Excluding Türkiye’s defence capabilities for the sake of narrow political interests will benefit no one,” he noted.

According to Erdoğan, the alliance now requires an unconditional system of collective security and defence free from political restrictions.

By Jeyhun Aghazada