Erdogan’s Remarks at NATO Summit: Accusations of Exclusion
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the opening of the NATO Summit, delivered sharp criticism towards Athens and Nicosia on Monday, June 29, 2026. He asserted that ‘narrow political interests’ are leading to the ‘exclusion’ of Turkey from crucial defense capabilities within the alliance.
Addressing foreign parliamentarians, Erdogan stated, “Despite our contributions, it is a fact that in some cases, the irreplaceable benefits Turkey provides to European security are overlooked.” He emphasized the need for an “unconditional” security and defense network across the entire NATO alliance, stretching “from Texas to Ankara.”
Turkey’s Ambition for NATO’s European Pillar
Erdogan underscored Turkey’s desire to be fully integrated into all security initiatives on the European continent. “As one of the countries that has a say in the development of the European pillar of the alliance, we have the will to be included in all security initiatives on the continent,” he declared. He urged parliamentarians to provide “strong interest and support” for Turkey’s inclusion in defense and security initiatives backed by the European Union.
Turkey has actively sought participation in the European Union’s SAFE defense funding program, but currently remains excluded. Erdogan reiterated that “the exclusion of Turkey’s defense capabilities due to narrow political interests benefits no one.”
Turkey’s Role in NATO and Defense Industry
The Turkish President highlighted his country’s long-standing commitment to NATO. “With its strong armed forces, modern military capabilities, and advanced defense industry, Turkey has been among the leading Allies contributing to NATO’s security for more than 70 years,” he said. He added that Turkey plays an active role in NATO missions, contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability, and shares its extensive experience in managing regional crises with its allies.
Erdogan also noted that a key focus of the Ankara Summit would be cooperation in the defense industry. He called for the removal of obstacles hindering defense industry trade, emphasizing the importance of collaboration within the alliance.
Attack on Israel and the Palestinian Issue
In a separate segment of his speech, Erdogan launched a strong critique against Israel, particularly concerning its actions in Lebanon. “We are closely monitoring the attacks – especially those targeting Lebanon – that seek to undermine the agreement, which has brought a much-needed sense of relief to our region and the world,” he stated.
He warned against allowing the “genocidal network” to succeed in its provocations, asserting that this network “cannot tolerate the achievement of stability in our region and even considers this stability a threat to its own security.” Erdogan firmly declared, “The perpetrators of the ongoing genocide in Gaza will certainly be held accountable, and we cannot ignore this fact.”
The Turkish President identified the Palestinian issue as the root cause of tensions in the Middle East. “Unfortunately, lasting peace cannot be achieved in our region as long as the occupation and the ongoing usurpation of land by Israel continue,” he said. He concluded by reiterating Turkey’s stance on a two-state solution: “The gateway to lasting peace is a two-state solution. An independent, sovereign, and territorially contiguous Palestinian state must be established based on the 1967 borders.”
Source: skai.gr
