Istanbul is preparing to host a key summit that will bring together the speakers of parliament from NATO member countries. According to a statement from the Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker's Office, parliamentary speakers and senior representatives from 20 countries will meet in Istanbul ahead of the 36th NATO Leaders Summit.
Participants and representatives
In addition to the speakers of parliament from 20 countries, the summit will be attended by three deputy speakers, NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Markus Peristrello, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska, members of the Assembly's Presidential Committee, and high-level representatives from allied countries and international organizations.
The participating countries are as follows:
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Summit program
The main session of the NATO Speakers Summit will be held on Wednesday, July 2, at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. During the session, speakers of parliament and delegation heads will deliver speeches.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to host an official lunch for participants on the margins of the summit and deliver a speech there. As part of the summit program, a visit will also be organized to the company Baykar, known for its work in defense technologies.
Third Speakers Summit
The summit in Istanbul is the third NATO Speakers Summit, following two previous summits held in the United States and Belgium. Organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since 2024 in cooperation with host countries, the summit aims to strengthen inter-parliamentary coordination ahead of alliance leaders' summits.
