Turkey will host the next NATO leaders' summit in Ankara on July 7-8, 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced in May 2026 [1]. Fidan stressed that the summit will focus on NATO’s unity and integrity, Turkey’s contributions to the alliance, and the importance of unrestricted cooperation in the transatlantic defense industry [1]. Turkey may invite members of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Four—Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia—as foreign minister-level guests to the summit; the final invitation list remains under discussion [1].
Fidan attended the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, in May 2026 to prepare for the summit [1]. On May 25, 2026, he paid an official visit to Germany for the third meeting of the Türkiye-Germany Strategic Dialogue Mechanism in Berlin, which he co-chaired with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul [2, 3]. The meeting included working groups covering bilateral relations, EU affairs, security, defense, and regional issues [2].
Fidan expressed satisfaction with the "constructive bilateral relations" and praised the dialogue mechanism as a platform to deepen cooperation [2, 3]. He called the Turkish community in Germany an "important human bridge" that strengthens cultural, economic, and social ties, saying preserving these connections is vital [2, 3]. Fidan stated, "We once again underlined that the Turkish community in Germany is an important bridge that strengthens the human, cultural and economic foundations of our relations, and that preserving these ties is important" [3].
The two sides discussed plans to enhance trade and economic partnership, aiming to increase mutual investments and achieve a bilateral trade volume target of $60 billion [2]. They also emphasized cooperation in connectivity projects linking Europe, the Middle East, South Caucasus, and Central Asia through Türkiye [2]. Fidan highlighted opportunities in high technology, digitalization, and green energy sectors, coordinated with upcoming Energy Forum and Joint Economic and Trade Committee meetings [2].
Military ties and defense industry cooperation were key topics with a fifth Defense Industry Cooperation Meeting planned later in 2026 [2]. Fidan said, "We will resolutely continue our close coordination and cooperation with our ally Germany on bilateral, regional and international issues" [3]. German and Turkish officials also discussed European security, the Ukraine conflict, tensions involving the US, Israel, Iran, and the Gaza situation, emphasizing peaceful diplomatic resolutions [3].
The NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on July 7-8 remains the next major event on Turkey’s international agenda, where Fidan will press further on alliance unity and Turkey’s strategic role [1].
