Erdogan, NATO’s Rutte discuss key security threats in Ankara meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye on Nov. 25, 2024. (AA Photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Monday in Ankara to address the “growing challenges” facing the alliance’s collective security.
The two leaders discussed key issues including terrorism, the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East conflict, Rutte said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“In an increasingly unpredictable world, Türkiye makes invaluable contributions to NATO,” Rutte added.
1st visit to Türkiye by Rutte as NATO Chief
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar Guler also attended the meeting at the Presidential Complex, marking Rutte’s first visit to Türkiye since assuming the post last month, according to a statement from the Turkish Presidency.
Fidan held separate one-on-one talks with the NATO chief, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, became NATO’s 14th secretary-general in October, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg, who held the position for nearly a decade.
Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952, contributing to the alliance for over 70 years.
