Foreign mission representatives of NATO member countries in Ankara delivered a message of 'unity and solidarity' regarding the '2026 NATO Ankara Summit' to be held on July 7-8.
Italy's Ambassador to Ankara Giuseppe Manzo, the Netherlands' Ambassador to Ankara Joep Wijnands, Poland's Ambassador to Ankara Maciej Lang, Bulgaria's Ambassador to Ankara Anguel Tcholakov, and Latvia's Ambassador to Ankara Bahtijors Hasans made assessments to AA regarding the NATO Ankara Summit to be held on July 7-8.
Italy's Ambassador to Ankara Manzo stated that the Ankara Summit is being held at a critical time for common security, and said, 'We are grateful for Türkiye's leadership, we support it and we are determined to work together for a successful summit that will address all the threats we face.'
Pointing to the deployment of an Italian SAMP/T Air Defense System to strengthen the Alliance's air defense, Manzo emphasized that he is proud to actively contribute to the security of friendly and allied Türkiye.
'TÜRKİYE'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ALLIANCE IS ABSOLUTELY VERY IMPORTANT' The Netherlands' Ambassador to Ankara Wijnands, recalling that the 2025 NATO Ankara Summit was held in The Hague, said that this year the summit will be held in Ankara.
Some ambassadors of NATO countries in Ankara evaluated the NATO Ankara Summit | Video Wijnands emphasized that the summit in The Hague was aimed at increasing allies' financial commitments and allocating more budget for collective defense, and said, 'This year, it will be about how and in which area we will use this budget.'
Pointing out that security is never achieved by itself, Wijnands said, 'Türkiye knows this very well in the volatile region where it is located. Having the second-largest armed forces in NATO and a large defense industry, Türkiye's contribution to the Alliance is absolutely very important.'
Indicating that unity is their strongest asset, Wijnands stated that therefore at the Ankara Summit they must display unwavering determination towards collective defense, support for Kyiv in the Russia-Ukraine War, and the joint fight against terrorism. Wijnands concluded his words by saying, 'When we can stay united, we are the strongest alliance in the world.'
'NATO'S UNWAVERING RESOLVE' Poland's Ambassador to Ankara Lang underlined that the summit is an 'exceptional' meeting that is extraordinarily important not only for Ankara but for the Alliance as a whole.
Expressing gratitude to the Turkish hosts for their outstanding efforts, hospitality, sincere cooperation, and exemplary coordination and capabilities, Lang said, 'I have full confidence that the message of unity and solidarity that will rise from Ankara will once again confirm NATO's unwavering resolve and the determination and decisiveness to act together in the face of changing security conditions.'
Lang wished for the summit to be auspicious and productive for the entire Alliance.
'TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER' Bulgaria's Ambassador to Ankara Tcholakov said: 'In a period of increasing uncertainties, unprecedented threats and challenges to the international order, this summit offers an extremely valuable and important opportunity to clearly reaffirm our unity among allies, demonstrate our determination and solidarity, and also display our unwavering commitment to our fundamental principles and values. Together we are stronger.'
'WHAT MATTERS IS THAT WE STAND TOGETHER AND NATO'S UNITY IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE' Latvia's Ambassador to Ankara Hasans, pointing out that the NATO Ankara Summit to be held on July 7-8 is an opportunity to show that commitments are being concretely fulfilled, explained that they are already seeing some progress.
Reminding that his country is the first ally to legally commit to allocating at least 5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense starting from 2027, Hasans said: 'This also demonstrates our determination. The summit must reaffirm NATO's security, unity, collective defense, the strengthening of Article 5, and transatlantic ties.'
Allies are increasing defense spending due to terrorism as well as Russia's continuing to be the greatest threat to the transatlantic region. Europe and Canada are already doing more.
Emphasizing the need to continue strengthening the defense industry, Hasans said, 'Support for Ukraine is of vital importance, because Ukraine's security directly contributes to the security of the entire transatlantic area.'
Pointing out that the support must be predictable and sustainable in the long term, Hasans said, 'Latvia has been allocating 0.25 percent of its GDP to Ukraine for several years and we will continue to do so. What matters is that we stand together, and NATO's unity is of vital importance.'
