Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the leader-level relationship between Türkiye and the US is a significant stabilizing factor for the upcoming NATO summit. Fidan said that the trust-based bond between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump could help overcome disagreements within the alliance at the summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8.
Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, Minister Fidan stated that Türkiye aims to use this friendly relationship to achieve a higher goal and in the interests of the entire NATO family.
Regarding Trump's criticisms of NATO, Fidan expressed his belief that the technical consultations within the framework of the Ankara summit would proceed smoothly. 'I don't see any problem in this regard,' Fidan said, emphasizing that despite many loud statements, nothing has changed in practice.
The minister noted that there is a common understanding between Türkiye and other European countries regarding the importance of NATO, and that no one questions the necessity of NATO.
Fidan stated that strengthening defense cooperation within the European Union does not contradict the obligations of European states under NATO, and that Türkiye and Europe should see each other as vital partners in ensuring collective security. 'We are also part of Europe. If we do not unite in the European space and create our own security platform, we will never feel fully secure,' he said.
Touching on the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran, Fidan said that both sides are extremely serious about the ultimate goals, but that the document leaves a number of contentious issues for later, such as Iran's nuclear program, the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, and ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan confirmed that Ankara is ready to mediate again for a resolution of the crisis. However, the minister said he does not expect negotiations to resume soon. Fidan noted that Moscow and Kyiv are ready for dialogue, but that US influence is needed for the peace process to advance, and stressed that what matters most for Türkiye is that both sides have a genuine and sincere desire for peace.
