President Erdoğan touts Turkey’s elevated role after Ankara NATO summit

Turkey hosted the 36th NATO State and Government Leaders Summit in Ankara on 7‑8 July, welcoming the heads of 32 NATO members and partner nations, about 4 800 diplomats and thousands of journalists. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the event “has increased Ankara’s visibility internationally like never before” and declared that “Ankara is now officially a world city.”

He highlighted the extensive security preparations overseen by police, intelligence and judicial bodies, noting that “we left nothing to chance.” Infrastructure upgrades were completed ahead of the summit, including the expansion of Esenboğa Airport and the reopening of Etimesgut Military Airport for official visits.

Erdoğan also marked the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, stating that “the wound of Srebrenica still bleeds in our hearts.” He pledged continued support for a stable and prosperous Bosnia‑Herzegovina.

Looking ahead, Erdoğan announced that Turkey will host the 13th Turkish States Organization Summit on 29‑30 October, coinciding with the nation’s 103rd Republic anniversary celebrations in Ankara.