Head of Communications Duran: "With its geostrategic position, military capacity, and deterrent capabilities, our country has been a central and indispensable actor, as well as a geopolitical balancing factor within NATO’s collective defence architecture from the Cold War to the present day."
In a video message addressing participants at the meeting, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran stated that NATO is a longstanding international organisation aiming to protect the security of its member states since it was founded in 1949.
Recalling that Türkiye joined NATO—now comprising 32 member states—three years after its founding, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran noted that throughout this 74-year journey with the Alliance, Türkiye has faced numerous challenges and difficulties.
Underlining that each time, they have successfully overcome these tests in line with the principle of mutual loyalty, Head of Communications Duran noted:
"With its geostrategic position, military capacity, and deterrent capabilities, our country has been a central and indispensable actor, as well as a geopolitical balancing factor within NATO’s collective defence architecture from the Cold War to the present day.
In the aftermath of the Cold War, Türkiye has actively participated in NATO missions focused on crisis management, peace support, and the establishment of stability."
Head of Communications Duran underscored that today, NATO functions within a multi-layered security landscape in which conventional interstate conflict risks are intertwined with hybrid threats, noting that the regional and global developments require NATO to broaden its perception of threats and render its decision-making mechanisms more agile.
Head of Communication Duran said that in this context, the Alliance has initiated a major transformation through its vision for 2030, and incorporated a broad spectrum of risks into its official threat framework, ranging from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to energy security and the security implications of climate change.
Pointing out that this approach indicates that NATO aims to build a more resilient, technologically advanced, and politically engaged Alliance going forward, Head of Communications Duran added:
"Türkiye has emerged as one of the strongest practitioners of NATO’s 360-degree security approach on the ground, supported by its growing capacity and investments in new defence technologies, including unmanned systems, air defence solutions, and naval platforms.
Moreover, Türkiye adopts a proactive approach in combatting emerging threats such as artificial intelligence-assisted disinformation attacks, psychological warfare operations, mass perception management and manipulation attempts, while steadily enhancing its institutional capacity day by day."
Highlighting that the Directorate of Communications is resolutely countering such threats, Head of Communications Duran noted that during this process, the Directorate of Communications has also carried out several positive communication campaigns, panels, symposia, and publications highlighting NATO's significance for world peace and stability, as well as Türkiye's critical position within the alliance.
Head of Communications Duran said that Türkiye’s key role within NATO rests on a balanced approach that blends Alliance responsibilities with the capacity for independent decision-making, adding "Indeed, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan articulated Türkiye's stance toward NATO by stating, 'We will continue to make the necessary contributions to NATO in accordance with the spirit of alliance while pursuing our independent foreign policy.'"
The Summit will be hosted in Türkiye
Head of Communications Duran stated, "Hosting the Extraordinary Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government on July 7–8, 2026, is of great significance as it reflects the spirit of alliance and Türkiye's importance within the alliance."
Head of Communications Duran also stated that this summit, as well as the international events we will host throughout 2026, will be important in demonstrating Türkiye's role in the new era.