06.07.2026 14:20
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the close relationship between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump could help resolve differences of opinion within the alliance at the NATO Summit to be hosted by Turkey. Fidan also said, 'The Ankara Summit will not be a routine NATO meeting. It will be the starting point of NATO 3.0. The decisions to be taken will have long-term consequences for the security of Turkey and its region.'
The 32 member countries of NATO will convene in Ankara tomorrow for a summit addressing the future of the transatlantic alliance. Minister Fidan stated that before the summit, he will leverage the warm relationship between Erdoğan and Trump to foster consensus within NATO. Noting that trust and friendship are important to Trump, Fidan said, "We want to use this friendship for a greater purpose, the benefit of the entire NATO family."
"ANKARA WILL BE THE STARTING POINT"
Fidan stated, "The Ankara Summit will not be a routine NATO meeting. It will be the starting point of NATO 3.0. The decisions made will have long-term consequences for the security of Turkey and its region."
DEFENSE SPENDING ON THE AGENDA
Fidan said one of the key topics of the summit will be the goal of increasing NATO members' defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product.
Expressing that despite Trump's criticisms of NATO, he does not expect problems in technical talks, Fidan said, "I don't see an issue on this matter. Many things are said, but nothing changes in practice. The forces remain in place."
Stating that there is a common understanding between Turkey and European countries regarding the necessity of NATO, Fidan said, "No one is questioning the necessity of NATO."
EUROPE'S SECURITY
Fidan described efforts within the European Union for defense cooperation independent of NATO as "a structural problem within NATO." He noted that these initiatives conflict with commitments made to NATO and stated that Turkey and Europe should see each other as indispensable partners in the field of security.
Fidan said, "We are also part of Europe. Unless we create a common security platform in the European geography, we can never feel secure enough."
IRAN AND UKRAINE
Stating that Turkey opposes the war of the US and Israel against Iran and has engaged in mediation efforts to end the conflicts, Fidan expressed cautious optimism regarding the agreement signed between the US and Iran last month.
Saying that the parties have demonstrated political will on ultimate goals, Fidan noted that the agreement leaves topics such as Iran's nuclear program, the lifting of sanctions, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz to subsequent negotiations.
Recalling that he visited Russia and met with high-level officials including President Vladimir Putin, Fidan said Turkey is ready to host new negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but he does not expect this to happen in the short term.
Fidan said, "My general assessment is that the parties are ready for talks. However, American influence is needed for this. What matters to us is to see genuine and sincere will and effort for peace on both sides."