Erdoğan meets NATO’s Rutte ahead of key foreign ministers’ meeting in Antalya

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Tuesday, just ahead of a pivotal two-day informal meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers in Antalya, which will focus on European security and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday received NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, ahead of a two-day informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers set to begin on Wednesday in Antalya, Daily Sabah reports.

The meeting was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Although no official statements were made following the brief discussions, the timing highlights the significance of the Antalya gathering as a platform for strategic dialogue among member states.

The informal meeting, scheduled for May 15-16, will bring together foreign ministers from all 32 NATO member countries. It is expected to serve as a preparatory step for the alliance’s upcoming leaders’ summit in The Hague this June.

One of the notable developments is the alignment of the summit’s final day with a planned meeting in Istanbul between Ukrainian and Russian officials, aimed at restarting peace efforts. While the NATO gathering in Antalya will not directly address this dialogue, it underscores the broader security context in which the alliance operates.

On Wednesday evening, the ministers, Rutte, and senior NATO officials will attend a social event hosted by Minister Fidan. An informal session of the North Atlantic Council will follow on the morning of May 15, during which ministers will exchange views on key strategic priorities and potential decisions ahead of the June summit.

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