Turkey's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said that Türkiye views the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara as a critical milestone that will help shape the alliance’s strategic direction amid an increasingly complex global security environment.
Speaking to Turkish journalists on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, Güler said the July 7-8 summit in the Turkish capital would be more than a gathering of allied leaders.
“We do not see the Ankara summit merely as a leaders’ meeting,” Güler said. “We believe it will be a significant turning point demonstrating NATO’s determination to adapt to the evolving security environment and shaping its strategic orientation for the future.”
The defense minister meeting, held ahead of the NATO summit, focused on the alliance’s deterrence and defense posture, support for Ukraine and broader security challenges facing member states, Güler said.
He noted that Türkiye had briefed allies on its contributions to NATO, progress toward defense spending commitments, preparations for the Ankara summit and its support for Ukraine.
Güler remarked that NATO currently faces one of the most challenging security environments in its history, citing conventional military threats alongside cyberattacks, hybrid warfare, terrorism, energy security risks and regional instability.
“Türkiye is not only one of NATO’s geographical centers but also an inseparable part of its strategic thinking and operational capacity,” he said.
The minister described Türkiye’s hosting of the summit as a reflection of its military contributions, operational experience and ability to generate security within the alliance. He also highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s diplomatic efforts, saying Türkiye has maintained a unique position within NATO through its emphasis on dialogue, crisis management and regional stability.
“Our goal is to strengthen NATO’s unity and solidarity, underline our shared commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and contribute to a strategic vision that will make the alliance better prepared for future threats,” Güler stressed.
He added that Ankara expects the summit to reinforce collective defense principles and reaffirm allies’ commitment to Article 5, NATO’s cornerstone mutual defense clause.
Güler also emphasized the growing role of Türkiye’s defense industry in supporting NATO capabilities.
