NATO hails Türkiye as 'staunch ally' on 74th anniversary of accession

2026-02-18 - 07:02

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart issued a strong affirmation of Türkiye's role within the alliance Tuesday, describing the country as a "staunch ally and valued contributor to shared security" on the 74th anniversary of its accession. In a written statement to Anadolu, Hart emphasized Ankara's enduring contributions since joining on Feb. 18, 1952. Military Strength and Strategic Value "As we look forward to the next NATO Summit in Ankara in July, we are reminded today of the many ways in which Türkiye contributes to the Alliance, as it has done for 74 years since joining NATO," Hart stated. She highlighted Türkiye's possession of NATO's second-largest army, its "steady investment in defense," a "robust defense industry," and "consistent contributions to NATO missions, activities and exercises." Decades of Critical Contributions Over 74 years, Türkiye has leveraged its strategic location to serve as NATO's first line of defense in the region, directly confronting threats and risks—particularly in counterterrorism operations. The upcoming July summit in Ankara will mark another milestone in the alliance's history, with Türkiye hosting NATO leaders for the first time since 2004.