Öztürk, together with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, spoke at the session titled "NATO and Europe: Security Architecture After the Ankara Summit" within the scope of the Turkey-EU Business Summit held in Brussels in cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and the European Business Summit (EBS).
Reminding that Türkiye has been a member of the alliance since 1952, Öztürk emphasized that the basis of NATO's success in the Cold War was the unity between allies and said that the Ankara Summit reinforced this unity.
Öztürk stated that 32 allies came together in Ankara at the level of heads of state and government, and NATO's partners in different regions also participated in the meetings within the scope of the summit.
Pointing out the importance of the defense industry forum held before the summit, Öztürk stated that approximately 50 billion dollars of contracts were signed in one day and that the resources allocated to defense should be transformed into concrete capabilities.
Öztürk noted the following regarding Türkiye's contributions to the Alliance:
"The alliance can only be successful if these collective capability packages are implemented by each ally. In this context, I can show that Türkiye has the second largest army in NATO. However, it is also an army equipped with capabilities. We rank fourth in terms of contribution to operations and missions, seventh in terms of contribution to joint budgets, and sixth in terms of capability targets allocated to it. Turkey has significant capabilities and experience in all these areas."
Stating that Türkiye does not experience the peace of mind that some allies enjoyed after the Cold War, Öztürk said that the threats it faces have increased the country's preparedness level and effectiveness.
Öztürk emphasized that Türkiye will contribute to the rebalancing of burden sharing within the alliance and that this should take place within NATO.
The Ambassador stated that it was agreed at the Ankara Summit to avoid initiatives that would lead to duplicate structures, weaken the integrity of the alliance or sever its ties.
Öztürk said that the threats against Türkiye do not originate only from the Black Sea, and that the developments in the Persian Gulf, Babülmendep Strait and the Middle East also have effects on energy supply and regional security.
Öztürk stated that Türkiye contributed to stability in Syria with its own capacity and means, and that cooperation with some allies in this field was strengthened.
Stating that both Russia and Ukraine are targeting ships in the Black Sea, Öztürk warned that this situation could lead to multiple crises in energy, food and fertilizer supply.
Regarding Türkiye's approach in the Black Sea, Öztürk said:
"We are keeping the region as stable as possible by applying the Montreux Convention in the Black Sea. Remember that we closed the straits three days after February 24. This was called a 'special military operation', but we defined it as a state of war and closed the straits to the ships of the warring parties. This prevented the Black Sea from turning into a real battlefield. Ships are targeted by both sides, and this is wrong. It was a temporary, partial operation to ensure that commercial ships carrying civilian goods are not targeted." We are working with both sides to reach a ceasefire. It worked well and prevented a food crisis in the world. Meanwhile, we monitor the Black Sea day and night, 70 percent of the defined sea and air picture of the Black Sea is provided to the allies. We have the longest coastline and the largest naval capacity, and we are monitoring the situation. "We are working closely with Bulgaria."
