Turkish President Erdogan Meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Ankara on Monday for discussions on key global security issues, including the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Rutte, who took office as NATO’s 14th Secretary General in October, expressed his anticipation ahead of the meeting, highlighting the growing challenges to collective security, including terrorism, the war in Ukraine, and the crisis in the Middle East. He also praised Türkiye’s pivotal role within the alliance, noting that the country “makes invaluable contributions to our Alliance, reinforcing deterrence on our Southern flank.”
Emphasizing Türkiye’s strategic importance, Rutte acknowledged the country’s standing as NATO’s second-largest army, its impressive defense industry, and its longstanding commitment as a strong ally for over 70 years.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Complex, was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler. Foreign Minister Fidan held separate one-on-one talks with the NATO chief following the main meeting, although details of these discussions were not disclosed.
Rutte’s visit marks his first to Türkiye since assuming his new post at NATO. Türkiye, a NATO member since 1952, continues to play a central role in the alliance’s security strategy and global operations.
