A high‑level conference entitled “Türkiye–NATO: Future Perspectives” was co-organised by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications and the French Institute for Strategic and International Affairs (IRIS) in Paris.
The conference was held at the IRIS headquarters under the moderation of IRIS Deputy Director Didier Billion. Speakers included Ambassador Prof Çağrı Erhan, Chief Adviser to the President and Deputy Chair of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council; Dr Kılıç Buğra Kanat, Research Director of the SETA Foundation’s Washington Office (SETA DC); IRIS Deputy Director Jean‑Pierre Maulny, and IRIS researcher Patrice Moyeuvre.
In his opening remarks, Billion recalled that the forthcoming NATO Summit will be hosted in Türkiye this July, noting that long-standing Euro‑Atlantic relations are at a turning point. Billion underlined that recent statements by the US President Donald Trump have raised questions regarding NATO’s future, and that the current affairs demand insights into Türkiye’s geostrategic role.
Billion stated that NATO intercepted two missiles entering Turkish airspace in recent days, saying, “We can also discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine; you are aware of Türkiye’s major role in the resolution of the conflict.
“Security risks are increasing day by day”
Pointing out that the rules‑based international order established after the Second World War is showing signs of strain, Prof Çağrı Erhan, Chief Adviser to the President and Deputy Chair of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council, stated, "In an unpredictable and uncertain environment, security risks are increasing and diversifying day by day.”
Drawing attention to the impact of conflicts in the Middle East on energy security, Prof Erhan noted that rare earth elements have become more important than oil and natural gas, thereby creating new arenas of competition among states that host them.
Prof Erhan underscored Türkiye’s position as NATO’s second‑largest military power after the United States, stating that developments around Türkiye directly concern the European Union. Erhan stated that NATO remains the most successful military alliance in history and must continue to serve as the main pillar of European security, cautioning that any European security architecture that neglects Türkiye would ultimately harm the interests of other European nations.
“The Turkish army is a mass army, with a large number of soldiers”
IRIS researcher Moyeuvre recalled that Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952. Emphasising that the Turkish army is a well‑trained force, Moyeuvre continued:
“The Turkish army is a mass army, with a large number of soldiers. This is very important within NATO, because Western countries, especially France, struggle to recruit and retain such numbers. Türkiye sets an example in this regard.” Pointing to Türkiye’s participation in numerous NATO operations, Moyeuvre added, “Particularly in relation to the developments in Iran, Türkiye should be considered a more significant ally.”
Türkiye’s demand for reform in the international system
SETA DC Research Director Kanat explained that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement, “The world is bigger than five,” was originally made because the UN Security Council had proven ineffective in addressing various crises, underlining Türkiye’s call for reform of the international system.
“Türkiye argues that when the system fails to function, middle powers should step in more actively; when major powers neglect their responsibilities, middle powers must assume pre-emptive and preventive roles. This responsibility may arise in relation to diplomacy, economics, or security issues, and can also involve forming smaller partnerships,” Kanat stated.
Kanat stressed that the international system and its actors must work together seriously, warning that regional crises will soon spread and pave the way for major global instabilities.
“They all feel a threat at their doorstep”
IRIS Deputy Director Maulny stated that France views NATO as 32 separate member states, emphasising that his country attaches importance to the potential threat posed by Russia. Noting that Europeans are increasing their defence budgets due to the Russia‑Ukraine war, Maulny added, “They all feel a threat at their doorstep.”
Maulny also mentioned the concerns about supply chains as the world becomes increasingly closed, stressing the need to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers in critical areas.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Paris, Yunus Demirer, AK Party İstanbul MP, Sena Nur Çelik Kanat, Hasan Kalyoncu University faculty member and SETA Senior Researcher, Assoc. Prof Murat Aslan attended the conference along with several other guests.