Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the NATO Ankara Summit underscored Türkiye’s growing strategic importance within the Alliance, describing the gathering as a historic milestone that ushered in a new era of greater responsibility for European allies, fairer burden-sharing, and stronger collective defence.

Speaking after the Presidential Cabinet Meeting on Monday, Erdoğan said the summit further clarified Türkiye’s central role in NATO, emphasizing that the country stands at the heart of the Alliance’s transformation thanks to its military capabilities, strategic geography, diplomatic experience, and advanced defence industry.

“The Ankara Summit has served to further clarify our country’s central role,” Erdoğan said, adding that Türkiye remains one of NATO’s strongest allies and a key contributor to the Alliance’s future.

The Turkish president also welcomed discussions aimed at removing barriers to defence industry cooperation among NATO members, saying the summit recorded a shared commitment to eliminating restrictions that hinder collaboration in the sector.

One of the summit’s key highlights was the inaugural Defence Industry Forum, which brought together nearly 1,000 participants, including defence officials, industry representatives, and members of the international media.

Erdoğan also announced that NATO had decided to establish the Centre of Excellence for Countering Unmanned Systems in the central Turkish province of Konya, reflecting the Alliance’s increasing focus on counter-drone capabilities as an emerging security priority.

According to Erdoğan, the summit also provided Türkiye with an opportunity to present its positions on major regional and international issues.

He said Ankara strongly condemned what he described as the “inhumane attacks” against the people of Gaza and Lebanon, reiterating Türkiye’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and its calls for an immediate end to the violence.

On the war in Ukraine, Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s position that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than prolonged military confrontation.

Beyond the official NATO meetings, Türkiye hosted seven defence and security-related events as part of the summit programme, including a gathering at Ankara Palas attended by representatives from more than 50 think tanks.

Erdoğan also praised the hospitality extended to the families of visiting leaders, saying the programme showcased Türkiye’s long-standing tradition of welcoming international guests.

The Turkish president highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s official visit to Türkiye during the summit as particularly significant, noting that it marked the first visit by a sitting American president to the country in 17 years.

Erdoğan said he welcomed President Trump’s positive remarks about Türkiye and the successful organisation of the NATO summit, expressing confidence that Ankara and Washington would continue working together to strengthen bilateral ties.

He added that both sides remain committed to achieving the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion while cooperating to promote peace and stability across the region. (ILKHA)