Türkiye's Erdoğan to host NATO leaders at 36th alliance summit
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will host leaders from NATO's 32 member states in Ankara on July 7-8 for the alliance's 36th summit, holding bilateral talks with counterparts including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron while addressing defense investment and regional security challenges.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will host leaders from NATO's 32 member states at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on July 7-8 for the alliance's 36th summit, holding high-level bilateral talks alongside discussions on defense investment and regional security challenges.
Bilateral meetings with Trump, Macron
Erdoğan is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with US President Donald Trump on July 7, followed by a joint news conference at the venue, diplomatic sources said. The Turkish leader will also receive French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for separate discussions, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Later that evening, Erdoğan and first lady Emine Erdoğan will host a formal dinner for visiting leaders and their spouses at the Presidential Complex, the sources added. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Council President Antonio Costa are also expected to attend the gathering.
Defense spending and Ukraine
The summit will focus on implementing NATO's decision to increase defense investment, reviewing the alliance's deterrence efforts from a 360-degree perspective, officials noted. Leaders are expected to hold strategic discussions on threats facing the Euro-Atlantic region, including developments related to the war in Ukraine and security challenges on NATO's southern flank.
The gathering comes as member states face mounting pressure to meet spending targets amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. In addition to the 32 NATO heads of state and government, the summit will bring together nearly 100 ministers, senior diplomats and representatives of international organizations.
Summit logistics
On July 8, Erdoğan will welcome leaders on arrival before participating in the traditional family photo, after which Rutte will deliver opening remarks. Following opening statements, leaders will engage in working sessions throughout the day.
After the session concludes, Erdoğan, Trump and several other leaders are expected to hold separate news conferences at the Bestepe National Exhibition Hall to outline outcomes. The event marks the first NATO summit hosted in Ankara in over a decade.
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