At the NATO Parliamentary Speakers Summit held in Istanbul, the speakers of the parliaments of the Netherlands, North Macedonia and Norway emphasized that the alliance must act in solidarity against current threats. Thanking Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmus for hosting the summit, the speakers stated that NATO needs a strategic reset and closer coordination.
Van Kampen: Turkish thanks and tulip emphasis
Dutch House of Representatives Speaker Tom van Kampen began his speech by thanking in Turkish. Noting that diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkiye date back to 1612, making them one of Europe's oldest and unbroken bilateral ties, Van Kampen said, "Our relations go beyond diplomacy and trade. The tulip, one of the most famous symbols of the Netherlands, was born in Anatolia, and this is a vivid reminder of the deep and lasting bonds between our peoples."
Stating that inter-parliamentary diplomacy plays a "vital role" in building trust between countries and strengthening transatlantic solidarity, Van Kampen said, "It is no coincidence that we are gathering in Turkiye, a country that serves as a bridge between continents and cultures. Despite our differences, an alliance united by common goals is exactly the alliance we need to achieve."
Noting that Russia's attack on Ukraine is not only a threat to Ukraine's sovereignty but also a direct blow to the rules-based international order that protects us all, Van Kampen emphasized that parliamentary cooperation within NATO is more important than ever. He called on allies to continue supporting each other and to show that NATO is "united, determined and ready to act."
Gashi: Strategic reset and balanced burden-sharing
North Macedonia's Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, pointing out that the world is changing rapidly, said NATO must act quickly in response to the threats it faces. "NATO allies must assume that they can take on the bulk of Europe's conventional defense and bear the primary responsibility for the continent's defense," he said.
Stating that future support for Ukraine requires "balanced burden-sharing and allies investing in their own national capacities," Gashi noted that developments in the Middle East have serious consequences for peace, energy markets and the humanitarian situation, and called for continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Garahhani: Closer coordination and accelerated production
Norwegian Parliament Speaker Masud Garahhani announced that his country has increased its defense production and is investing in new systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and "digital solutions." "This is not a matter of voluntariness. We must ensure closer coordination. We must accelerate the development of our industrial capacities and production to strengthen our common security. This applies both to meeting national needs and to maintaining NATO's combat readiness," he said.
Emphasizing that a consensus has been reached among political parties in the country on a defense plan extending until 2036, Garahhani assessed, "This situation shows that the security environment is deteriorating further and reflects the lessons learned from Russia's brutal war in Ukraine."
