NATO Secretary General Rutte: 'Turkey is a Valuable Member of NATO'

european parliament - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of Turkey as a member of NATO during a meeting at the European Parliament.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed European parliamentarians at the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense, responding to questions regarding Turkey's role within NATO.

He highlighted the successful agreement reached with Turkey and Germany in 2016 regarding the Syrian refugee crisis, which significantly reduced the number of Syrian refugees entering Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Rutte further emphasized that Turkey plays a crucial role in NATO, defending its interests just like other member countries do. He stated, 'Turkey is a valuable member of NATO.'

In response to a question about Europe's autonomous defense capabilities, Rutte mentioned the challenges of establishing a European NATO and the necessity to meet defense spending targets.

Regarding the future of European and global security, Rutte expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of achieving lasting peace and preventing further Russian aggression.

He also highlighted the need for increased defense investments and capacity building in Europe to address security challenges effectively.