NATO’s strategic dialogue to kick off in Türkiye on May 14

NATO foreign ministers are scheduled to meet informally in Antalya, Türkiye, on May 14–15, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosting the gathering, diplomatic sources confirmed on May 10.

Representatives from all 32 NATO member states are expected to attend the meeting, which will serve as a critical platform for discussions in preparation for the NATO leaders' summit, set to take place in The Hague on June 24-25, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The meeting will kick off with a social event on the evening of May 14, hosted by Minister Fidan, which will be attended by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and other senior officials.

The following morning, on May 15, an informal session of the North Atlantic Council will be held, providing an opportunity for the foreign ministers to exchange views on key issues and potential decisions for the upcoming summit.

One of the main topics on the agenda will be the revision of burden-sharing within the alliance and efforts to shape the future of European security.

Minister Fidan is expected to highlight the importance of NATO's unity and its deterrent capacity, cautioning against any weakening of its fundamental role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security. He will also emphasise Türkiye's commitment to boosting its defence investments and contributions to NATO, noting that its defence spending already exceeds the alliance's 2% of GDP target.

Additionally, Fidan is anticipated to advocate for the removal of barriers to defence industry cooperation and to call for genuine solidarity in counterterrorism efforts. He will also reaffirm Türkiye's support for peace and stability in the surrounding regions and the Middle East.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Fidan is likely to hold several bilateral discussions with his counterparts.

As a NATO member for over 70 years, Türkiye plays a crucial role in the alliance's defence strategy. The NATO Land Command (LANDCOM) is located in Türkiye, and the country also hosts the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Headquarters in Istanbul. Furthermore, Türkiye is among the leading contributors to NATO's command and force structure and continues to provide sustained support for the alliance's missions and operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova