Türkiye to Host 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Monday that Türkiye will host the 2026 NATO Leaders Summit in the capital, Ankara, marking a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic engagement with the Alliance. The announcement was made during a post-Cabinet meeting speech, in which the president also addressed key developments in Türkiye’s national security strategy.

President Erdoğan expressed satisfaction with the rapid progress achieved under the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, affirming the state’s firm stance against attempts to undermine national efforts. “It appears that certain elements within our country and within the [PKK] organization are pursuing sabotage efforts aimed at dynamiting progress. Our state will not fall into traps,” he stated.

The president also highlighted the strategic importance of Türkiye’s recent counterterrorism policies, noting that recent regional developments have validated the government’s approach. Erdoğan referenced a major breakthrough: the terrorist group PKK has reportedly announced its disbandment and surrender of arms following a congress held from May 5–7 in northern Iraq.

“The recent incidents that have occurred in our region have confirmed how accurate and strategic this step has been,” Erdoğan said, emphasizing that Türkiye is committed to eliminating all forms of terrorism unconditionally.

For over four decades, the PKK has posed a significant threat to Türkiye’s national security and regional stability. The group, recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, NATO, the European Union, the United States, and numerous other countries, has been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children.

President Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara’s position that no terrorist organization will be allowed to exist within or around Türkiye’s borders. The government’s only acceptable outcome remains the complete and unconditional disarmament and dissolution of all terrorist groups.

With Ankara preparing to host the 2026 NATO Summit, the Turkish government aims to lay the groundwork for what President Erdoğan described as “very important decisions” at a time of evolving global security dynamics and strengthened alliance cooperation.