Turkish, Dutch FMs discuss bilateral ties, upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The summit is scheduled to take place in Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, on July 7-8. The call focused on deepening cooperation between the two NATO allies and ensuring the summit’s success.

Summit preparations

The NATO Summit in Ankara will bring together alliance leaders at a critical time, with the alliance facing challenges from the ongoing Iran war, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the war in Ukraine. Türkiye, as the host, is expected to play a key role in shaping the agenda, which is likely to include defense spending, eastern flank security, and maritime security in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The conversation between Fidan and Berendsen—whose country is a founding NATO member—also covered burden-sharing and support for Ukraine.

Bilateral context

The Netherlands and Türkiye have historically strong economic ties, with Dutch companies active in Turkish logistics, agriculture, and energy sectors. The two countries have also cooperated on migration management, with the Netherlands hosting a significant Turkish diaspora community. Berendsen, who took office earlier this year, has signaled a pragmatic approach to EU-Türkiye relations, and the call may have touched on visa liberalization and customs union modernization.