As part of the 'NATO Summit Dialogues' event organized by the Turkish Atlantic Council (ATA Türkiye) and the Hariciye Foreign Policy and Security Research Center, a panel on the future of European defense and allied burden sharing was held.
At the panel hosted by TÜSİAD, the reconstruction of Europe's security architecture and the strengthening of the European pillar within NATO were discussed.
The panel, moderated by Terhi Suominen, Vice President of the Atlantic Treaty Association, featured speakers Jane Kinninmont, Director of the United Nations Association of the UK, Christian Schmidt, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Emir Abbas Gürbüz, Secretary General of ATA Türkiye.
Jane Kinninmont: 'We must not remain passive'
Kinninmont said the world is going through a period of rupture, transition, and competition, and that it is essential not to remain passive as the international order is being reshaped.
Emphasizing that Europeans must strive to build a future European project and its contribution to the world order, Kinninmont said diplomacy, development, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding are integral parts of security.
Pointing out that cuts in development aid to increase defense budgets could increase security risks in the long term, Kinninmont noted that climate change, extreme heat, ocean warming, and the risks posed by artificial intelligence must also be considered in terms of human security.
Kinninmont added that Europeans must build solidarity and trust within NATO, but also think beyond it.
Christian Schmidt: Europe's defense procurement capacity must be increased
Schmidt said that allocating 3 percent of GDP to defense spending in NATO is a fundamental principle and has never been a subject of debate.
Schmidt noted that some countries have reduced their defense spending to below 1 percent of GDP, leaving them unprepared for geostrategic developments, and said Europe faces three main problems in defense: defense procurement processes, public awareness of the importance of defense capabilities, and the lack of interoperability among NATO members.
Stressing the importance of greater coordination among European allies, aligning EU and NATO defense planning, and increasing Europe's capacity in conventional defense procurement, Schmidt said the issue of nuclear deterrence is also becoming increasingly critical.
Emir Abbas Gürbüz: 'Strategic autonomy and a collective defense culture are essential'
Gürbüz said transatlanticism was born at a time when political stability in Europe was 'under tutelage,' and that when Europe's strategic autonomy is mentioned, armament also comes to the fore.
Noting that societies in European countries live far from war, Gürbüz said that not only money to buy weapons but also people to use those weapons are needed, but that Europe is experiencing a societal crisis.
Gürbüz stated that France appears willing to take the lead on Europe's nuclear umbrella, but what it will demand in return is unclear, and that there are many critical questions that need to be answered before a European pillar can be formed within NATO.
Saying 'First, we need to achieve strategic autonomy and a collective defense culture,' Gürbüz stressed that Europe must take on its own defense responsibility.
Maria Nica / Editor
