Turkish top diplomat to attend NATO meeting in Sweden

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to attend the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for May 21–22 in Helsingborg, Sweden.

According to sources in Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions will focus on preparations for the NATO summit due to take place on July 7–8 in Ankara under Türkiye’s chairmanship, TRT Haber reports. 

The agenda will also include strengthening alliance unity, transatlantic cooperation, the development of the defence industry, and expanding production capacity.

Separately, the ministers are expected to address support for Ukraine, the conversion of rising defence spending into concrete military capabilities, and the implications of recent developments involving Iran, as well as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz from the perspective of Euro-Atlantic security.

The meeting will open on May 21 with an informal dinner in the NATO–Ukraine Council format, attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. Fidan is expected to reaffirm Türkiye’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while outlining Ankara’s diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.

On May 22, the main session will bring together foreign ministers from all 32 NATO member states. Fidan is expected to outline Ankara’s position on burden-sharing within the alliance, strengthening transatlantic relations, and enhancing Türkiye’s role in NATO.

He is also expected to stress the need to advance defence cooperation without restrictions and highlight the importance of a 360-degree security approach, encompassing threats from all directions and reinforcing NATO’s engagement with its southern neighborhood.

By Vafa Guliyeva