Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on the NATO alliance to establish a security and...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for an "

unconditional

" and unified NATO security network extending

"from Texas to Ankara".

Addressing the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul, he criticized the exclusion of Türkiye's defense capabilities from European security initiatives due to

"narrow political interests"

Key Context & Statements

The "Texas to Ankara" Vision: Erdoğan emphasized that Euro-Atlantic security is at a historic turning point due to wars, crises, terrorism, and irregular migration along the alliance's eastern and southeastern borders. He stated that building this network

"without any ifs or buts"

is essential to maintain NATO's deterrence.

Integration Deficit:

He noted that Türkiye's indispensable contributions to European security are often overlooked. He urged parliamentarians to support Ankara's full inclusion in European Union and continental defense initiatives, and to lift defense industry restrictions among allies.

Rising Contributions:

Defending Türkiye's track record, Erdoğan highlighted that the country shares its exceptional regional crisis management experience, increases defense spending in line with previous summit pledges, and ranks among the top five allies contributing to NATO missions.

Upcoming Summit:

These remarks serve as a precursor to the high-level Heads of State and Government NATO Summit scheduled for July 7–8 in the Turkish capital, Ankara.