NATO Military Chief Hails Türkiye as Strategic Pillar Ahead of Ankara Summit

ANKARA:  NATO Military Committee Chair Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone has praised Türkiye as one of the alliance’s most important strategic allies, highlighting its military strength, advanced defence industry and critical geopolitical position ahead of the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7-8.

Speaking to Anadolu at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Cavo Dragone described Türkiye as a cornerstone of the alliance, emphasising that its contributions extend far beyond its military size.

“Türkiye is a strong ally. It has the second-largest army in NATO, and its strategic location at the crossroads of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Middle East makes it indispensable to the alliance,” he said.

The NATO military chief also commended Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defence industry after recently visiting several defence production facilities in the country.

“I was truly impressed by what I saw. Türkiye has demonstrated remarkable investment in its defence sector, rapid production capability and an ability to deliver advanced military systems efficiently. It is setting an example that many other NATO members can follow,” he noted.

According to Cavo Dragone, although Türkiye lies on NATO’s southeastern flank geographically, it remains central to the alliance’s security architecture.

“Geographically, Türkiye may be on the edge of the alliance, but on many critical security issues, it is at the very centre. NATO is fortunate to have Türkiye as a trusted ally,” he added.

Cavo Dragone stressed that maintaining trust among NATO’s 32 member states is essential to addressing evolving global security challenges, including regional conflicts and emerging threats.

He acknowledged that while differences of opinion naturally exist among democratic nations, these discussions ultimately strengthen the alliance by helping members reach broader consensus.

“The alliance is built on mutual trust. Thirty-two members represent far more than just a number; they represent shared values, cooperation and collective security,” he said.

Reflecting on NATO’s progress since assuming office in January 2025, Cavo Dragone said the alliance has become significantly stronger and more determined.

“We have moved from preparing ourselves to taking concrete action. While more work remains, NATO is clearly moving in the right direction,” he said.

He pointed to commitments made during last year’s Hague Summit, where allies pledged to increase defence spending in response to mounting security threats.

However, he emphasised that the priority now is implementing those commitments.

“We have promises. Now we need delivery. Concrete action on the ground is what matters most,” he said.

Looking ahead to the Ankara Summit, Cavo Dragone said military leaders are focused on achieving measurable results rather than issuing political declarations.

“Declarations are inexpensive. What truly matters are facts, operational readiness and tangible outcomes,” he remarked.

Among the summit’s priorities, he expects NATO allies to reaffirm long-term support for Ukraine while strengthening defence industrial cooperation across the alliance.

“We expect an even stronger commitment to standing with Ukraine for as long as necessary while ensuring our defence industries maintain the current momentum in production and innovation,” he said.

Responding to questions about the possibility of reduced U.S. military contributions in Europe, Cavo Dragone expressed confidence that European allies can gradually assume greater responsibility for regional defence.

He acknowledged that such a transition would require time but noted that important progress has already been made through increased defence investments and stronger cooperation among European NATO members.

“We cannot transform everything overnight, but Europe is moving in the right direction. I believe the Ankara Summit will further reinforce that commitment,” he said.

The 36th NATO Summit, hosted by Türkiye in Ankara on July 7-8, is expected to bring together allied military leaders to review defence priorities, strengthen alliance cohesion and advance commitments aimed at enhancing NATO’s collective security amid an increasingly complex global security environment.