Ahead of the July NATO summit in Ankara, a panel held in Warsaw has underscored the importance of strengthening unity and solidarity among allies amid growing global instability. The event, titled “The Future of NATO and Poland-Türkiye Defense Cooperation,” was organised by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate in cooperation with Poland’s Center for Eastern Studies (OSW).
Summit preparations and bilateral defence
The closed-door panel, moderated by OSW’s Karol Wasilewski, brought together Turkish Ambassador to Warsaw Rauf Alp Denktas, Polish officials, academics, and think tank experts. Participants noted that the current climate of conflict — including the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East instability — has made the July 7-8 NATO summit in Ankara a critical moment to reinforce allied cohesion. The panel also examined Türkiye’s perspective on NATO, its contributions since joining the alliance, and its strategic role within the bloc.
European outreach ahead of Ankara summit
The Communications Directorate has been organising events in allied capitals across Europe in the run-up to the summit. The Warsaw panel specifically focused on NATO’s future and bilateral defence cooperation between Türkiye and Poland — two allies that have deepened military collaboration in recent years, including joint exercises and defence industry projects. Türkiye continues to position itself as an indispensable NATO member bridging Europe, the Black Sea, and the Middle East.