Today marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. As was confirmed during the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being held in Washington D.C. on this occasion, NATO plays a significant role in countering the challenges posed by the current security environment.

A distinct feature that has ensured the Alliance’s continued relevance has been the shared values among Allies and the tradition of collective defence, whereby Allies act in unity against common threats. As a political-military Alliance, NATO is also an important forum for consultations, which is at the core of the Transatlantic bond that it embodies. Furthermore, the Alliance has always been able to successfully adapt itself according to the requirements of the day, notably through various activities with its partners.

As such, NATO maintains its central role in Turkey’s defence and security policies. Turkey, who has been a member of the Alliance for 67 years, is among the top contributors to NATO. Turkey brings an important value added to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, as well as to that of its Allies through its direct contributions to NATO, and its national undertakings in the face of contemporary security challenges, in particular in the fight against terrorism. Turkey expects its Allies to act in the same manner, namely in full solidarity with Turkey against such challenges, and primarily against those that pose a direct threat to Turkey.

It is with this understanding that Turkey will continue to support the consolidation of Allied solidarity, cooperation and coherence, as well as the development of the Alliance’s capabilities to respond to current, as well as future security challenges.