Turkish National Security Council to discuss NATO expansion, Ukraine, Iraq, and Greece

The National Security Council of Turkiye, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will discuss the applications of Finland and Sweden to join NATO, the situation in the Pençe-Kilit anti-terrorist operation zone in northern Iraq, as well as the military build-up in neighboring Greece.

The third meeting of Turkiye's National Security Council since the beginning of the year will touch upon other topics of interest to Ankara, including the war between Ukraine and Russia, Anadolu Agency reports.

During the discussion of the situation in the northern Black Sea, there will be an exchange of views on Turkiye's peace initiatives around Ukraine, mediation initiatives, humanitarian aid deliveries, and efforts to achieve a long-term cease-fire.

Regarding the situation in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the meeting will elaborate on the protection of the interests and rights of Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Council members will also discuss steps to form a security zone near Turkiye's southern borders, including anti-terrorist operations.

Turkiye's president announced after the last government meeting that Ankara will continue steps to form a security zone 30 kilometers inland from the country's southern border.