International/Turkey

Duran: NATO Summit in Ankara Highlights Turkey's Active Role in Enhancing Stability

Head of Communications of the Turkish Presidency stated that President Erdogan's intensive engagements covered European security, Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, and defense cooperation

Betül Bilsel, Muhammet Torunlu

July 10, 2026•Updated: July 10, 2026

ANKARA

Ankara / Anadolu

Head of Communications of the Turkish Presidency, Burhanettin Duran, said that the intensive diplomatic efforts within the framework of the NATO Summit in Ankara once again demonstrated Turkey's active role in promoting international peace, security, and stability.

This came in a post by Duran on Friday on the Turkish platform 'Insocial,' in which he addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's diplomatic activity during the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Duran explained that they closely followed the intensive diplomatic engagements undertaken by President Erdogan during the summit and the important messages he conveyed during his meetings and statements.

He noted that the President met with his French and Syrian counterparts Emmanuel Macron and Ahmed al-Shara, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Erdogan also met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Duran stated that the meetings addressed the development of bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in defense industries, trade and security, the European security architecture, as well as regional and international developments.

He pointed out that Erdogan renewed, during the meetings, the affirmation of Turkey's contributions to European security, the importance of strengthening the European pillar of NATO, and maintaining transatlantic ties.

He explained that the meetings also focused on efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ending the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomacy, preserving understanding between Iran and the United States, and Turkey's firm approach to establishing stability in Syria.

Duran noted that the signing of the Security and Defense Partnership document between Turkey and the United Kingdom constituted an important step towards enhancing strategic cooperation between the two countries.

He added that Erdogan, in a press conference after the summit, affirmed Turkey's determination to continue its active diplomacy and cooperation with its allies in line with its vision of peace, stability, and common security.

Duran stated that Erdogan also met with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

He explained that these meetings addressed the development of bilateral relations with the three countries and potential cooperation in trade, defense, security, and energy.

Duran concluded by saying: 'The intensive diplomatic engagements since Monday within the framework of the NATO Summit in Ankara have once again demonstrated Turkey's active role, under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in promoting international peace, security, and stability.'

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 36th NATO Summit was held in Ankara amid accelerating security and geopolitical shifts in Europe and the Middle East. This is the second time Turkey has hosted the summit, 22 years after the Istanbul summit in 2004.