The first session of the "NATO in the 21st Century: Challenges, Partnerships and Enlargement" panel, organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in the Directorate of Communications Conference Hall, addressed the "NATO's Future: Global Threats and NATO 2030 Vision".
The session drew attention to the topics such as raising awareness of NATO's role in global security and its activities, underlining Türkiye's significance in the alliance, and Türkiye's rightful demands regarding the alliance's multifaceted military and political policies.
Speaking during the session moderated by Orhan Gazigil, Advisor to the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Committee Member, Altınbaş University Rector Prof Çağrı Erhan called to mind that NATO's 2030 vision was the product of the strenuous efforts of the working group, on which experts from ten NATO member countries, including Türkiye, have spent many years working.
Erhan stated that the accession of Türkiye and Greece to NATO in 1952 was the first NATO enlargement. Erhan explained that when NATO was founded, its sole responsibility was to respond to an attack against one of its allies and added:
"Today's primary topic of discussion is how much NATO will enlarge and how much NATO's jurisdiction will expand. If the United States is at the helm of NATO, as it was when the organisation was founded, and if it continues to be at the helm, then the United States will attempt to mould NATO to suit its own security priorities."
Erhan stated that other NATO member countries, including Türkiye, would also contribute based on their respective security priorities and threat perceptions.
Hacı Bayram Veli University Department of International Relations Faculty Member Prof Fırat Purtaş said that the preparations for the NATO, as a security organisation, to be an organisation that contributes not only to member countries but also to global security were clearly evident in the 2030 vision. Describing the details of the 2030 document, Purtaş stated that Türkiye was in a position to establish security within NATO and prevent very serious threats and said, "I believe that from this point on as well, Türkiye, as a global actor, will continue to make significant contributions to the strengthening of the alliance as a political and security organisation."
Beykent University International Relations Department Faculty Member Prof Armağan Gözkaman explained that Türkiye held a key position not only in terms of its own security but also in terms of securing the future of the group in which the community is involved.
Mersin University International Relations Department Faculty Member Kaan Kutlu Ataç (PhD) emphasised that Türkiye has become a significant force among NATO members with its overseas operational capability. Ataç said, "There is a Türkiye within NATO that has the ability to use its military operational capability combined with its political power and diplomatic tools."