FM: Türkiye seeks stronger, more resilient NATO ahead of Ankara summit

Türkiye is seeking a stronger and more resilient NATO alliance as leaders prepare to gather in Ankara for the alliance's summit, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

In a post on X ahead of the summit, Fidan said the meeting would be a defining moment for the alliance and would shape the future of Euro-Atlantic security, Caliber.Az reports.

“The stage is set in Ankara. Under President Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye stands ready to welcome NATO members at a moment that will define the Alliance’s future.”

The stage is set in Ankara.

Under President Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye stands ready to welcome NATO members at a moment that will define the Alliance’s future.

The decisions taken in Ankara will not merely address immediate challenges — they will shape the Euro‑Atlantic… pic.twitter.com/YjAXXW2pD2

— Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan) July 7, 2026

Fidan said the decisions taken at the summit would have long-term implications.

“The decisions taken in Ankara will not merely address immediate challenges — they will shape the Euro-Atlantic security environment for the years ahead.”

He said NATO's collective defence remained at the core of the alliance but argued that the evolving security environment required a greater focus on operational capabilities rather than traditional metrics.

“What matters now is output: deployable capability, industrial capacity, and operational readiness.”

Fidan also called for closer defence-industrial cooperation among allies, saying restrictions had become a strategic disadvantage.

“A stronger European contribution is essential — but restrictions on defense-industrial cooperation undermine efficiency and slow response. These constraints have become strategic liabilities. European defense initiatives must remain fully inclusive of all NATO Allies.”

He added that the Ankara summit should help adapt NATO's structures to today's security environment.

“Türkiye’s objective is clear: a more coherent, more capable, and more resilient Alliance.”

By Sabina Mammadli