NATO FMs gather at Brussels HQ to prepare for July summit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan plans to highlight counterterrorism efforts and concerns over NATO ties with terrorist groups in a foreign minister gathering of NATO in Brussels

NATO foreign ministers gathered at the headquarters in Brussels to prepare for the summit in July, sustain and increase assistance to Ukraine, and celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the opening of the year’s first meeting of foreign ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Stoltenberg noted that this was Sweden’s first meeting as a member, highlighting that the main agenda would focus on preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington in July.

“This summit will advance our efforts to strengthen defense capabilities and ensure fair burden-sharing. It will bolster our support to Ukraine and deepen cooperation with our partners in the European Union as well as in the Asia-Pacific,” Stoltenberg said.

The NATO secretary general also mentioned that allies would discuss how to resolve the instability in the Middle East, particularly in the alliance’s southern region.

The two-day meeting will be held behind closed doors.

Foreign Minister Fidan is representing Türkiye

Fidan plans to emphasize the importance of NATO members working collectively to combat terrorism.

He will convey Türkiye’s expectations regarding efforts against the terrorist organization PKK and its affiliates, sources indicated.

Additionally, he will underscore Türkiye’s stance that it is unacceptable for certain NATO members to have ties with terrorist groups.

Fidan will also highlight concerns about members imposing sanctions and restrictions on one another within the defense industry, noting that such actions contradict the alliance’s spirit and compromise NATO’s security.

He is expected to express Türkiye’s perspectives on effectively ensuring the defense and security of Europe.

Source: Newsroom

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