Final Statement of the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara Published
The 36th NATO Summit, hosted by Turkey in Ankara on July 7-8, concluded its work with the issuance of a final statement.
The statement states that NATO member states gathered in Ankara to reaffirm their firm commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, the principle of collective defense, as well as to the transatlantic bond.
NATO stated in the statement: “An attack on one ally is an attack on all allies. Our unity, solidarity and collective strength remain the foundation of peace, security and prosperity for one billion citizens of our alliance.”
The document also emphasizes that NATO members remain committed to a 360-degree approach to deterrence and defense.
According to the final statement of the summit, the allies are implementing the Hague Defense Commitment to counter the long-term threat from Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and stability, as well as the persistent threat of terrorism.
The statement said that European allies and Canada have increased their investments in basic defense needs by more than $139 billion by 2025.
New defense agreements worth more than $50 billion
NATO also announced that new defense procurement agreements worth more than $50 billion were finalized at the Ankara summit.
The statement said: “Today in Ankara, we announce new procurement agreements worth more than $50 billion and commit to working with industry to increase collective production capacity and accelerate innovation.”
NATO emphasized that efforts to remove barriers to defense trade among allies will continue and that the organization’s partnerships will be used to expand defense industrial cooperation.
Elsewhere in the statement, NATO’s goal is described as a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO, and that European allies and Canada, together with the United States, will take greater responsibility for the defense of the alliance.
NATO also announced that the alliance’s deterrence and defense is based on a combination of nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities, supported by space and cyber capabilities.
