NATO chief selection to be guided by 'strategic wisdom, fairness,' asserts Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed Friday that the decision regarding the new NATO chief "will be made within the framework of strategic wisdom and fairness."

Addressing a joint news conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul, President Erdogan said: “Nobody should have any doubt that we will make our decision within the framework of strategic wisdom and fairness."

Rutte recently declared his candidacy for the position of the next NATO secretary-general.

Strong trade volume between Türkiye, Netherlands

 

 

Highlighting the economic ties between Türkiye and the Netherlands, Erdogan noted that the trade volume between the two countries amounted to $13.9 billion last year.

He expressed Türkiye's aspiration to initially increase it to $16 billion and then to $21.4 billion.

“With $6.4 billion in investments, Turkish entrepreneurs employ some 80,000 people in the Netherlands,” President Erdogan added.

President Erdogan emphasized the significance of Rutte's visit for the bilateral relations between the two nations, stating that they reviewed various aspects of cooperation and affirmed their determination to elevate bilateral ties.

“We noted that our commercial and economic relations continue to deepen and strengthen. The Netherlands is the largest foreign investor in Türkiye," President Erdogan added.

Dutch support in considering Türkiye-EU relations as 'strategic and just' perspective

 

 

Discussing relations with the EU, President Erdogan stressed the importance of initiating swift work on updating the Customs Union.

He emphasized Türkiye's expectation for the Netherlands’ support in addressing EU-Türkiye relations from a "just and strategic perspective."

Preparations for the NATO summit in Washington in July were also discussed, with President Erdogan underscoring the importance of the future secretary-general prioritizing NATO's role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security.

Moreover, Erdogan highlighted the importance of efforts to remove sanctions, restrictions, and obstacles in the defense industry among allies. He mentioned sharing these points with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who has announced his candidacy for the secretary-general position.

Addressing terrorism, President Erdogan stressed the importance of not tolerating any terrorist organization, particularly PKK and its extensions, within the spirit of alliance.

Netherlands commends Türkiye's efforts in Gaza 

 

 

Regarding Gaza, Erdogan emphasized the expectation for necessary steps for a cease-fire, peace and stability.

In his remarks, Rutte acknowledged the longstanding relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands and discussed various issues including Gaza and Ukraine. He commended Türkiye's role in efforts to end the Gaza war and resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Rutte underscored Türkiye’s geopolitical significance and influence in the region, stating that Türkiye is a crucial ally for NATO's southern wing and plays a pivotal role in the region's stability and general transatlantic relations.

He noted Türkiye represents the second-largest military power in NATO after the United States.

Source: Newsroom