During a one-day visit to Türkiye, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met President Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler in Ankara on Monday (25 November 2024).
The Secretary General praised Türkiye for its commitment to the Alliance's collective security. He highlighted that Türkiye has the second-largest army in NATO and spends over 2% of GDP on defence.
Mr. Rutte also congratulated Türkiye for successfully concluding its command of NATO's KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, stating that "your consistent contribution of troops is crucial in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all in Kosovo."
The Secretary General and President Erdogan addressed Russia's war in Ukraine. Mr. Rutte commended Türkiye for its firm support of Ukraine's defence industry with the ammunition, artillery and aid it needs, also by playing a key role in initiatives like the Black Sea Grain Deal and other diplomatic efforts.
In his meetings with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, the Secretary General addressed a range of issues, including Türkiye's contributions to NATO security, defence industrial cooperation, the situation in the Middle East, terrorism, and Allied support for Ukraine.
Mr. Rutte thanked Türkiye for the major role it plays in the fight against terrorism, including in NATO's mission in Iraq. The Secretary General reiterated his solidarity with Türkiye and expressed his condolences regarding the terrorist attack on the facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI-TUSAS) in Ankara on 23 October. "We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms" said Mr. Rutte.
During his official stay in Ankara, Mr. Rutte also paid a visit to the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a memorial site dedicated to honouring the legacy and contributions of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.
