A roundtable discussion titled "The Road to the 2026 Ankara Summit: Shaping the Future of Euro-Atlantic Security" was held in Berlin under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications in cooperation with the Germany-based Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).

The meeting formed part of a series of events being organised in the capitals of NATO allied countries ahead of the Extraordinary Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government, which Türkiye will host in Ankara on 7–8 July 2026.

The event brought together senior officials, lawmakers, diplomats, and security experts to exchange views on the future of the Alliance, Türkiye's role within NATO, and the evolving security environment confronting the Euro-Atlantic region.

Opening remarks were delivered by Gökhan Turan, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Berlin; Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Chief Advisor to the President on Foreign Policy and Security; Oğuz Üçüncü, Member of Parliament and Member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly; and Dr. Mark Speich, Secretary General of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The discussion was moderated by Thomas Volk, Director of KAS's Middle East and North Africa Department.

Held at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung headquarters in Berlin, the roundtable focused on NATO's future direction and the significance of Türkiye-NATO relations amid a rapidly changing global security landscape.

Participants underscored that the NATO Summit scheduled to take place in Ankara next month could mark a critical turning point in reinforcing unity and solidarity among member states at a time of increasing international instability and geopolitical uncertainty.

The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening Turkish-German cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in the defence industry. Speakers noted that ongoing global crises, including the Russia-Ukraine War and escalating tensions in the Middle East, have reinforced the strategic importance of NATO's collective security framework for allied nations.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess Türkiye's perspective on the Alliance. Participants reviewed the country's military and political contributions since joining NATO and examined the strategic missions it has undertaken within the organisation over the decades.

As preparations continue for the Ankara Summit, officials stressed the need for closer coordination among allies to address emerging threats and shape a more resilient Euro-Atlantic security architecture capable of responding to the challenges of an increasingly volatile international system. (ILKHA)