Security measures have been raised to the highest level ahead of the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8. Provincial Police Department officials made statements to journalists at the City Security Management System (KGYS) Center.
Deputy Provincial Police Chief Arif Hakan Tandoğan stated that they are in the final stage of security preparations that began days before the summit, adding, "We have reached the highest level of measures. We plan to achieve a trouble-free result until the summit ends."
Tandoğan reported that approximately 49,000 police personnel and 7,000 gendarmerie will serve during the summit, and that nearly 900 surprise operations have been carried out so far. He noted that inspections are proceeding on multiple levels, from short-term rental apartments to rental vehicles, and from parks and gardens to the accommodations of the leaders.
Tandoğan stated that continuous monitoring and tracking will be carried out through the crisis center established within KGYS, and said, "Life in the city will continue. Our measures on routes and at accommodation sites will be more prominent. There is no situation that should worry our citizens. Our alternative routes have been announced. We are on the field at all times. We are managing all risks."
Tandoğan added that everything happening in the field will be monitored in real time from the crisis center using domestic and national software, and that digital systems have been improved.