NATO Chief Rutte makes first visit to Turkey since taking office

NATO Secretary General Rutte has met with Turkish President Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Fidan, and National Defense Minister Güler during his visit to Ankara.

Tuesday November 26 2024 12:09 am

Duvar English

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Nov. 25 paid his first visit to Turkey after taking office in October.

During Rutte’s visit to the capital Ankara, he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex, accompanied by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

Even though the meeting was closed to the press, the Directorate of Communications stated on X, “The potential ways to end the Ukraine-Russia War and the massacre in Palestine, joint steps required to be taken in the fight against terrorism, Türkiye's hosting of the NATO Summit in 2026, and NATO allies' solidarity with Türkiye in supplying defense industry materials, as well as Türkiye's contributions to NATO as an ally, were assessed during the meeting.”

Before the meeting NATO Secretary General told state-run Anadolu Agency, “I am looking forward to meeting President Erdogan to discuss the growing challenges to our collective security — including the threat of terrorism, the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.”

Following the meeting, Rutte visited the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) in Ankara, where a tragic attack on October 23 claimed the lives of five people and injured 22 others.

During the closed-door visit, Rutte offered his condolences to company officials and was briefed on TUSAŞ's ongoing projects and operations.

Rutte, who served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024, assumed the role of NATO Secretary General on October 1, 2024, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg. Turkey was among the last member states to endorse his candidacy, withholding its support until late April.