Ankara NATO summit to mark 'turning point' for alliance: Guler

Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Tuesday that the upcoming NATO leaders' summit in Ankara will mark an "important turning point" for the alliance, demonstrating its determination to adapt to an evolving security landscape while shaping future strategic direction. Speaking to reporters in Brussels following NATO defense ministers' talks, Guler outlined preparations for the July 7-8 summit and emphasized Ankara's role as one of the alliance's top five force contributors. He noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership would feature prominently during the gathering.

Defense industry and collective deterrence

Guler highlighted Türkiye's domestic defense industry as a pillar of both national and collective security, stating that indigenous systems enhance allied interoperability. "Our indigenous and national systems support allies' interoperability and contribute to the alliance's overall deterrence. A strong defense industry means strong deterrence and a strong NATO," he said, adding that a Defense Industry Forum alongside the summit would deepen cooperation.

The minister noted that three NATO counterparts had specifically emphasized expanding defense industrial ties with Ankara during bilateral meetings in Brussels. He described conventional threats as increasingly accompanied by hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, and terrorism, requiring strengthened collective deterrence across the alliance.

Regional security challenges

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Guler emphasized that stability in the Black Sea remains inseparable from Euro-Atlantic security, noting that Ankara continues implementing the Montreux Convention while supporting regional ownership among littoral states. He welcomed the recent agreement ending the Iran-US war and said Türkiye stands ready to support mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz if required.

"Türkiye pursues a constructive approach that supports regional peace, stability and security, advocating dialogue and diplomacy rather than the expansion of conflicts," Guler said. He reiterated Ankara's commitment to freedom of navigation and maritime security in accordance with international law.

Eastern Mediterranean and alliance role

Guler strongly criticized a recent agreement between France and the Greek Cypriot administration, calling the pact illegitimate and destabilizing. "The agreement signed between France, which has no guarantor status, and the Greek Cypriot Administration is an initiative that lacks legitimacy, disrupts the delicate balance and is contrary to international law," he said.

He affirmed that Türkiye would continue fulfilling its guarantor responsibilities regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus while preserving peace in the Eastern Mediterranean. Guler stressed Ankara's central role within NATO, stating: "Today, there is a very clear reality: Türkiye is not on the periphery of the security architecture, but at its center." Türkiye is preparing to assume command of the Allied Reaction Force, a role Guler called a concrete indicator of Ankara's reliability. The Ankara summit is scheduled for July 7-8.