Today marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic
Treaty. As was confirmed during the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being
held in Washington D.C. on this occasion, NATO plays a significant role in
countering the challenges posed by the current security environment.
A distinct feature that has ensured the Alliance’s continued relevance has
been the shared values among Allies and the tradition of collective
defence, whereby Allies act in unity against common threats. As a
political-military Alliance, NATO is also an important forum for
consultations, which is at the core of the Transatlantic bond that it
embodies. Furthermore, the Alliance has always been able to successfully
adapt itself according to the requirements of the day, notably through
various activities with its partners.
As such, NATO maintains its central role in Turkey’s defence and security
policies. Turkey, who has been a member of the Alliance for 67 years, is
among the top contributors to NATO. Turkey brings an important value added
to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as to that of its
Allies through its direct contributions to NATO, and its national
undertakings in the face of contemporary security challenges, in particular
in the fight against terrorism. Turkey expects its Allies to act in the
same manner, namely in full solidarity with Turkey against such challenges,
and primarily against those that pose a direct threat to Turkey.
It is with this understanding that Turkey will continue to support the
consolidation of Allied solidarity, cooperation and coherence, as well as
the development of the Alliance’s capabilities to respond to current, as
well as future security challenges.