Expert Highlights Türkiye's Growing Importance in NATO, Calls It a Long-Term Visionary
(MENAFN) According to Nicola Pedde, the director of the Institute for Global Studies (IGS) based in Rome and Brussels, Türkiye's contribution to NATO is "extremely important" and growing. He also noted that the country is becoming more significant in the alliance in terms of military industrial production. Pedde commended Türkiye for its long-term vision of its interests, which is driving its growing role in NATO. He specifically pointed to Türkiye's involvement in North Africa, Libya, and the Horn of Africa region, areas where Italy shares interests.
Pedde's comments suggest that Türkiye is playing an increasingly important role in the NATO alliance. As a member of the alliance for over 70 years, Türkiye has demonstrated its commitment to collective security and defense. Its growing contribution to NATO is an indication of its strategic importance in the region and beyond.
Pedde also commented on the recent accession of Finland to NATO, which officially became the alliance's 31st member on April 4. He noted that Finland's decision to abandon its decades-long military non-alignment policy in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war is a significant development. The length of NATO's border with Russia nearly doubled with Finland's accession, highlighting the growing importance of the alliance in the region.
Sweden is also seeking membership in NATO, with its application pending. Türkiye has called on the two Nordic countries to take concrete action against terrorist groups like the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in order for them to join the alliance. Ankara ratified Finland's membership in March, saying that it had done what was necessary for membership, while Sweden still has work to do.
In conclusion, Pedde's comments highlight Türkiye's growing importance in NATO and its long-term vision of its interests. The recent accession of Finland to the alliance underscores the strategic importance of NATO in the region, and Sweden's pending membership application indicates the continuing relevance of the alliance. As NATO continues to evolve in response to changing security challenges, Türkiye's role in the alliance is likely to become even more significant in the years ahead.
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