President Erdoğan says NATO summit ‘successfully’ concluded, highlights Türkiye’s defense capabilities

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Wednesday that the 2026 NATO summit in the capital Ankara concluded “successfully,” describing it as a “historic” gathering that will help shape the alliance’s future at a time of heightened security challenges across the Euro-Atlantic region.

“We have successfully concluded our NATO summit, which we hosted in our country for the second time in 22 years and for the first time in our capital, Ankara,” Erdoğan said at a news conference following the conclusion of the summit.

He said the meeting came at a critical moment for Euro-Atlantic security and would have lasting significance for the alliance.

“This historic summit, which we hosted at a time when Euro-Atlantic security is being tested, has been conducted in a manner that will shape our common future,” he said.

Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye’s military and defense industrial capabilities, saying that the country is ahead of many NATO allies in key areas.

“Today, in terms of defense spending, military capabilities and the defense industry that underpins them, we are well ahead of many allies,” he said.