Fidan to attend NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden, focus on Ankara summit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a NATO foreign ministers meeting in the Swedish city of Helsingborg on May 21-22, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to focus on preparations for the NATO summit to be hosted by Türkiye in Ankara on July 7-8, as well as alliance unity, transatlantic cooperation, strengthening defense industry production capacity, continued support for Ukraine, and converting rising defense spending into military capabilities.

Iran and Hormuz

Ministers are also expected to discuss developments related to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, including their implications for Euro-Atlantic security and the broader global security environment. NATO's southern flank policies and recent developments affecting Euro-Atlantic security, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war, are also expected to be on the agenda.

NATO-Ukraine Council

The meeting will begin May 21 with an informal working dinner of the NATO-Ukraine Council attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Fidan is expected to reaffirm Türkiye's support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while highlighting Ankara's diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ankara summit preparations

On May 22, the meeting will continue with a session attended only by the foreign ministers of NATO's 32 member states. Fidan is expected to brief allies on preparations for the Ankara summit, outline Türkiye's expectations, and stress Ankara's efforts to ensure the meeting demonstrates NATO unity and cohesion.