Erdogan, NATO's Rutte discuss key security threats in Ankara meeting

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.

ANKARA, TURKIYE - NOVEMBER 25: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (2nd R) meets Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (2nd L) in Ankara, Turkiye on November 25, 2024. ( Arda Küçükkaya - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - NOVEMBER 25: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'TURKISH PRESIDENCY / MUSTAFA KAMACI HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye on November 25, 2024. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the meeting. ( TUR Presidency/Mustafa Kamaci - Anadolu Agency )

NATO Genel Sekreteri Mark Rutte, Ankara'daki temasları kapsamında Anıtkabir'i ziyaret etti. ( NATO - Anadolu Ajansı )

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.

November 25, 2024 06:33 PM GMT+03:00