Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Saturday discussed regional and global developments as well as issues concerning the alliance, said Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
In a phone call, President Erdogan said that events around Iran are headed toward a geostrategic deadlock and urged the international community to step up efforts to end the war, according to a statement on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
Erdogan also highlighted NATO’s support for Türkiye’s air defense, saying the solidarity it recently showed once again demonstrated the alliance’s capacity for deterrence. NATO recently intercepted and neutralized ballistic munitions that entered Turkish airspace.
He said Türkiye also continues its efforts to ensure that the Russia-Ukraine war ends with peace.
Erdogan also marked NATO’s 77th anniversary during the call, reiterating expectations that its summit in the Turkish capital Ankara this July will take decisions to make the alliance more resilient and effective in the face of future challenges.
Türkiye, one of the oldest members of NATO, joined the alliance in 1952, nearly 75 years ago. It boasts the second-largest army in the alliance.
