22.04.2026 19:24
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara to discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Leaders Summit, agenda items of the Alliance, and regional and global issues. During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that Turkey expects the European pillar of the Alliance to assume greater responsibility and emphasized that excluding non-EU European allies from the Union's defense initiatives would not serve the purpose.
A statement was made by the Presidency Communications Directorate regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's reception of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
POINTED TO THE ANKARA SUMMIT
Accordingly, during the reception, preparations for the NATO Leaders Summit to be held in Ankara, topics on the Alliance's agenda, and regional and global issues were discussed.
In the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the unstable environment in the region once again demonstrates the importance of cooperation and solidarity among NATO allies, and expressed their expectation that decisions strengthening solidarity among allies and supporting the Alliance's constant preparedness against crises would be taken at the Ankara Summit.
EMPHASIS ON "TRANS-ATLANTIC BOND"
Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey is increasing its capacity in the defense industry, especially in air defense systems, every day, and aims to further develop cooperation with allied countries in this field.
Stating that preserving the Trans-Atlantic bond is of indispensable importance and that Turkey expects the European pillar of the Alliance to assume more responsibility, Erdoğan underlined that, at this point, excluding non-EU European allies from the Union's defense initiatives would not serve the purpose.
"TURKEY POSITIONED ITSELF ON THE SIDE OF PEACE AND DIPLOMACY"
Drawing attention to the fact that Turkey positioned itself on the side of peace and diplomacy in the process that began with attacks on Iran, Erdoğan noted that Turkey is also involved for the Ukraine-Russia War to conclude with peace, and efforts are being made to revive negotiations and start talks at the leaders' level.
During the reception, Erdoğan and Rutte comprehensively evaluated the preparations for the NATO Ankara Summit.