NATO chief lauds Türkiye as 'highly valued ally'
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praises Türkiye's pivotal role in the alliance's defense industry, highlighting the nation's advancements in producing cutting-edge capabilities, including Bayraktar drones
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg lauded Türkiye as a "highly valued ally," emphasizing the nation's significant contributions to the alliance's defense industry. Stoltenberg particularly highlighted Türkiye's efforts in investing in new advanced capabilities, including warplanes, which he described as crucial.
Addressing reporters, Stoltenberg welcomed Türkiye's production of the battle-tested Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles, citing their proven effectiveness. These remarks came as part of a broader discussion on Türkiye's 72-year membership within NATO, during which Stoltenberg underscored the country's strategic importance.
Türkiye, as the alliance's second-largest army, plays a vital role in NATO missions, including those in Kosovo and Iraq. Stoltenberg also pointed to Türkiye's strategic geographical position, bordering countries like Iraq and Syria, and its significance in the Black Sea region, with borders shared with Russia. He highlighted Türkiye's contributions to counterterrorism efforts, particularly against Daesh.
Stoltenberg hails Türkiye's defense innovation
Regarding Türkiye's remarkable strides in defense industry development, Stoltenberg noted the country's creation of nine indigenous aircraft over the past decade, the latest of which is the KAAN fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
He commended Türkiye's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities, emphasizing the importance of a robust defense industry, especially in light of recent events such as the conflict in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg further praised the announcements of increased cooperation between Türkiye's defense industry and other NATO member states. He highlighted initiatives such as the United States' plans to upgrade and deliver more F16s, Canada and Türkiye's joint work on unmanned aerial vehicles, and Sweden and Türkiye's collaboration on defense projects.
On the issue of removing restrictions on defense trade among NATO allies, Stoltenberg expressed strong support for unhindered cooperation within the alliance. He cited a recent decision made at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, where allies agreed to eliminate barriers to defense equipment trade.
Importance of unified approach
In response to questions about the EU's new strategies to boost its defense industry, Stoltenberg emphasized the need for alignment with NATO's objectives. He cautioned against creating conflicting objectives, especially among NATO allies who are also EU members. Stoltenberg stressed the importance of a unified approach, highlighting that NATO allies should not face restrictions in defense trade among themselves.
Stoltenberg's remarks come at a critical juncture as NATO continues to navigate evolving security challenges, with Türkiye standing as a key partner in the alliance's collective defense efforts. The Secretary-General expressed his confidence in Türkiye's role as a cornerstone of NATO's capabilities, underscoring the Alliance's commitment to fostering a robust and collaborative defense ecosystem.
Source: Newsroom
