Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared that Türkiye’s international standing has been bolstered following the successful hosting of the NATO Summit on July 7–8. Erdoğan emphasized the summit’s historic nature, underscored by the attendance of global leaders, including US President Donald Trump. This event, Erdoğan noted, highlights Türkiye’s expanding influence in global diplomacy.
Key outcomes of the summit included a consensus among NATO leaders on the need to eliminate obstacles to defence industry cooperation. In alignment with this, Erdoğan announced that NATO will establish a Counter-Unmanned Systems Centre of Excellence in Konya, a city in Türkiye. This development is expected to further cement Türkiye’s position within the alliance.
The summit also featured a Defence Industry Forum that attracted close to 1,000 participants, reflecting strong international interest. Erdoğan expressed optimism that such gatherings would not only enhance Türkiye’s defence industry but also boost tourism and elevate the nation’s global reputation.
Looking ahead, Erdoğan reiterated his commitment to strengthening Türkiye’s ties with the United States, with a particular focus on increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s dedication to promoting regional peace and stability as part of these efforts.
In addition to discussing the outcomes of the summit, Erdoğan extended his condolences to Qatar on the passing of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, reflecting Türkiye’s ongoing engagement with key partners in the region.