Erdoğan Says NATO Must Be an Alliance That Strengthens Allies
Erdoğan said NATO leaders agreed on the need for European members to assume greater responsibility for collective defense while maintaining fair burden-sharing within the alliance.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the media at the Presidential Complex in Ankara as part of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Ankara. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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resident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said NATO must evolve into an alliance that strengthens its members rather than creating dependency, as Türkiye concluded its hosting of the 36th NATO Summit with calls for greater burden-sharing, stronger defense industrial cooperation and renewed diplomatic efforts to address global conflicts.
Speaking at a press conference following the two-day summit at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdoğan said the meeting marked a significant step toward building a stronger alliance at a time when Euro-Atlantic security faces unprecedented challenges.
“NATO should be an alliance of allies that strengthen one another, not one of countries dependent on each other,” Erdoğan said, arguing that genuine deterrence depends not only on defense spending but also on technological superiority, industrial capacity and sustainable military production.
The summit, the first NATO leaders’ meeting ever held in Ankara and Türkiye’s second time hosting the alliance after more than two decades, brought together heads of state and government from all member countries.
Erdoğan said allied leaders agreed on the need for European members to assume greater responsibility for collective defense while maintaining fair burden-sharing within the alliance.
“We have laid the foundations for a stronger NATO in which European allies undertake greater responsibility and military capabilities are reinforced through equitable burden-sharing,” he said.
Türkiye highlights military contributions
The Turkish president stressed that Türkiye has become one of NATO’s leading military contributors after decades of confronting regional conflicts and terrorism largely on its own.
He noted that Türkiye commands NATO’s second-largest land army and has safeguarded the alliance’s southeastern flank for decades while making substantial contributions to NATO missions, operations and common funding.
Erdoğan announced that Turkish F-16 fighter jets will deploy to Estonia beginning in August as part of NATO’s Air Policing mission.
He also said Türkiye will continue commanding the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) until September 2026 and will assume command of the NATO Response Force during 2028-2029.
“Türkiye has always fulfilled its responsibilities within the alliance, taking risks and paying the price when necessary,” Erdoğan said.
Defense industry emphasized
A central theme of Erdoğan’s remarks was Türkiye’s growing defense industry, one of the country’s key strategic advantages.
He said Türkiye now manufactures its own fighter aircraft, tanks, warships and air defense systems while ranking among the world’s leading producers of unmanned aerial and naval vehicles.
“True deterrence comes from three dimensions: advanced technology, sufficient scale and sustainable production,” Erdoğan said.
He welcomed the adoption of the “Ankara Strategy” during the NATO Defense Industry Forum, saying it would strengthen cooperation between NATO and defense manufacturers.
Erdoğan also renewed calls for the removal of remaining restrictions on defense trade among allies and argued that European Union defense initiatives should complement NATO rather than duplicate its efforts.
He warned that excluding non-EU allies such as Türkiye from European defense projects would limit their effectiveness.
Ukraine, Middle East discussed
The summit also addressed ongoing security crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and instability across the Middle East.
Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s offer to facilitate renewed peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
“The war has become a machine of destruction that claims tens of thousands of casualties every month,” he said. “There are no losers in a just peace.”
Turning to the Middle East, Erdoğan welcomed the Islamabad Agreement, which Türkiye has supported, while expressing concern over continued violence in Lebanon and Gaza.
He said attacks in Lebanon have displaced civilians and destroyed cities, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues.
“There is no room in our region for new tensions or new conflicts,” Erdoğan said. “Humanity needs peace, stability and security.”
Meetings with world leaders
Erdoğan said he held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit with U.S. President Donald Trump as well as the leaders of Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
He described his meeting with Trump as “very productive,” saying the two leaders discussed defense cooperation, economic relations and military industries.
Regarding Türkiye’s long-running effort to acquire F-35 fighter jets, Erdoğan said Trump had adopted a positive approach.
“When the F-35s are delivered to Türkiye, the whole world will see that America has kept its word,” he said.
Asked about U.S. sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Erdoğan said restrictions had been lifted “to a large extent” and that communication with the U.S. administration remained strong.
He also said Türkiye and the United States discussed potential cooperation in naval construction, including frigates, corvettes and submarines.
Responding to questions on Greece, Erdoğan said disputes over maritime boundaries should be resolved through dialogue.
“Let’s sit down, talk and resolve the issue,” he said, adding that leaders have the primary responsibility for finding solutions.
He also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to its “Blue Homeland” maritime doctrine and emphasized that Ankara does not want the Strait of Hormuz to become “a sea of war.”
On relations with the European Union, Erdoğan urged European leaders to end Türkiye’s decades-long wait for membership.
“A 53-year wait is an injustice,” he said. “It is time to open the door.”
Türkiye will host two more major gatherings this year
Erdoğan thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, summit organizers and the people of Ankara for hosting the gathering, describing the event as a demonstration of Türkiye’s diplomatic standing and hospitality.
He also announced that Türkiye will host two additional major international gatherings later this year: the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara on Oct. 29-30 and the COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya on Nov. 9-20.
As NATO approaches the 75th anniversary of Türkiye’s membership next year, Erdoğan said Ankara would continue contributing to the alliance’s deterrence and transformation while advocating greater solidarity among allies.
“The spirit of solidarity was clearly demonstrated at the Ankara Summit,” he said. “Our goal is a stronger alliance capable of meeting the security challenges of a changing world.”
(Source: Anadolu Agency)
