12.02.2025 17:13
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the foundation of the Turkish defense industry is impressive, praising the existence of hundreds of organizations and thousands of companies working on innovation. Rutte said, "We can only ask you to do more."
The NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made statements to the press ahead of the Defense Ministers meeting, which will take place tomorrow and will be attended for the first time by the new U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
"THE FOUNDATION OF THE TURKISH DEFENSE INDUSTRY IS IMPRESSIVE"
In response to a question about what messages Turkey could convey to allied ministers regarding its role in strengthening the defense industry of the Alliance, particularly Europe, and in achieving peace in Ukraine, which is also on the agenda of the new U.S. administration, Rutte stated, "The foundation of the Turkish defense industry is truly impressive."
"HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING ON INNOVATION"
Rutte noted that hundreds of organizations are working on innovation, and that there are thousands of companies as part of the Defense Industry Presidency, recalling that he met with Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün both during his visit to Ankara and in Brussels.
"WE CAN ASK YOU TO DO MORE THAN YOU ARE DOING"
The Secretary General continued: "This is really important, and I know that what you are doing in Turkey is in close cooperation with other allies in Europe and with us. Indeed, the Turkish industry supplies the most important components, including end products. We can only ask you to do more."
Rutte stated that he expects more and faster production from all allies, including France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.