Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared that the recent NATO Summit held on July 7–8 in Ankara has remarkably enhanced the country’s standing on the international stage. He lauded the event as a historical triumph, underscoring the attendance of world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. This summit, he noted, underscored Turkey’s advancing influence in global diplomacy.
Erdoğan highlighted that the gathering of NATO leaders resulted in a consensus on the critical need to eliminate obstacles in defense industry collaboration. In a move to further cement Turkey’s strategic role, he announced that NATO would be setting up a Counter-Unmanned Systems Centre of Excellence in Konya, a city in Turkey. This development was presented as a testament to Turkey’s growing importance within the alliance.
One of the summit’s significant highlights was the Defence Industry Forum, which drew nearly 1,000 participants. Erdoğan expressed optimism that such a robust turnout could potentially boost tourism and enhance Turkey’s global image. He emphasized the event’s potential to further integrate Turkey into crucial international defense and economic networks.
In addition to these developments, Erdoğan articulated his ambition to bolster cooperation with the United States, with a particular focus on elevating bilateral trade to $100 billion. He reiterated Turkey’s dedication to fostering peace and stability in the region, aligning with shared international priorities. Furthermore, he extended his condolences to Qatar following the death of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, highlighting Turkey’s diplomatic engagements beyond the NATO context.