As part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit hosted by Türkiye, a reception was held yesterday for NATO defense ministers at the Crescent and Star Joint Headquarters, which is under construction.

AY YILDIZ HEADQUARTERS OPENED ITS DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Crescent and Star Joint Headquarters, which is under construction, opened its doors for NATO defense ministers for the first time. At the reception held in the Yıldız section of the new headquarters, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler welcomed the guest ministers at the door accompanied by the military band.

‘IT WAS INSPIRED BY THE CRESCENT AND STAR ON OUR FLAG’

Minister Güler stated that he was very happy to host the guest ministers at the Ay Yıldız campus and said, “This campus, which we are in and designed with inspiration from the crescent and star on our flag, will now unite our entire defense and military command structure under a single roof. This headquarters will be operational soon and will be one of the largest headquarters in the world. By gathering our General Staff and Force Commands under one roof, we will maximize our joint operation capability and accelerate bureaucratic processes.” “We aim to achieve maximum speed and efficiency,” he said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu shared a video about the moments when he drank Turkish coffee in Ankara, where he was invited as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.

Minister Motegi shared a video from Ankara on his social media account. In his post, Motegi said, “In Türkiye, I drank authentic Turkish coffee during breaks between various meetings and meetings. Turkish coffee is unique not only in its preparation and drinking, but also in how it continues to give pleasure after drinking.” he said.

The video in the post featured the moments when Motegi experienced Turkish coffee in Ankara, where he was invited as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. Stating that Turkish coffee comes to mind when Türkiye is mentioned, Motegi explained that Turkish coffee is made by boiling directly with water, without using a filter, and that the clear part on top is drunk after the grounds settle to the bottom.

Motegi, who later tasted the coffee, made the following evaluation:

“It is not as bitter as I thought, but it seems to have a natural smell. One of the characteristics of Turkish coffee is that it continues to enjoy after drinking it. What to do? You turn the cup upside down and wait. Then, fortune telling is done with the coffee grounds left in the cup. I will try to predict how international situations will develop from now on, by reading fortunes.”

The hearing of the case regarding the allegation of corruption with the criminal organization founded by Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his post as the President of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and arrested, continues on its 64th day. At the hearing held in the hall of the Marmara Prison campus in Silivri, the defendant İmamoğlu, whose turn it was to defend, took the podium.

Defendant İmamoğlu said that he wanted to express some of his objections regarding the decision of the court panel to end the hearing on the 9th of the month. The presiding judge said, “We said we would finish it on July 9, it is your discretion whether to make a defense or not. If you do not want to make a defense, let’s write down the minutes stating that you have exercised your right to remain silent, and let’s close the session. This is not the place for you to bargain.” he said.

İmamoğlu: “I do not use my right to remain silent.” When he reacted by saying, the President said, “Mr. Ekrem, why are you insistently trying to avoid making a defense? Let’s get your identification and start your defense. I have never bargained with any defendant on the stand, ‘Will you defend me?’ he said. Thereupon, İmamoğlu said, “I will not defend, I will judge, I will judge. I will also judge those who made the indictment.” he said.

The president of the court said, “This is not the office where you will judge, you came here to be tried. This is not the office where you will judge, and we do not sit in the office where you will judge. I applied Article 203 on him, let’s take him out of the courtroom. Let’s take his lawyers too.” Using his statements, he decided to remove İmamoğlu from the courtroom on the grounds that he disrupted the order of the hearing.

Meanwhile, the president said, “This will not become normal with your attitudes.” When asked, İmamoğlu said, “What a shame for you.”

The court adjourned the hearing and the hall was evacuated.

President Erdoğan spoke at the opening of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.

The highlights of President Erdoğan’s statements are as follows:

As Türkiye, we have taken measures to increase the rate of our defense expenditures to 3.5 percent before 2030. We have already reached a 1.5 percent budget share in expenditures related to security and durability. Thus, we aim to reach the 5 percent target 5 years before 2035, determined in The Hague.

“WE ALLOCATED A BUDGET OF 24 BILLION DOLLARS FOR OUR STEEL DOME PROJECT”

Undoubtedly, the real success of our country lies in the breakthrough in the defense industry. We are among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of production and export capacity. We will have met almost all of the 361 talent targets allocated to us in the alliance within 3 years, before the committed date. With our Steel Dome project, we allocated an additional budget of 24 billion dollars for air and missile defense capabilities, the lack of which is felt the most in our alliance.

As the country with the largest land army in Europe, we strive to put our capabilities at the service of the Alliance when needed. We are one of the leading allies contributing to the Alliance’s operations, missions and exercises in Kosovo, the Black Sea, the Baltics and other geographies. As an ally that successfully uses UAVs and UCAVs in real battlefields, we hope to accredit our Center of Excellence for Countering Unmanned Systems, which we envision to be established, to NATO. I believe that this center will support our response capability, especially against air and sea drone threats.

President Erdoğan’s emphasis on defense in the opening speech of the 36th NATO Summit: “Türkiye has made a breakthrough in defense” | Video

“RESTRAINTS BETWEEN ALLIES MUST BE REMOVED”

In order to achieve the NATO 3.0 goal as soon as possible, I would like to draw particular attention to the following two issues: The first is the removal of restrictions between allies in defense cooperation, especially in the defense industry. He welcomes the fact that this message was highlighted by both industry and government officials at the Defense Industry Forum. Secondly, as European allies, we must take on greater responsibility for continental defense while avoiding actions that could weaken the integrity of the Alliance and transatlantic relations. Here, I would especially like to address our allies who are members of the European Union. Maximum benefit in the Union’s efforts in the field of security can only be achieved by avoiding unnecessary duplications with NATO.

“WE WILL GUIDE RUSSIA TO PEACE”

While a cooperation model dictated by reason and logic is possible, the exclusion of allies who are not members of the union will lead to wasted limited resources and an artificial division in Europe, which we do not want at all. It is clear that this attitude does not serve the Transatlantic Defense Industrial Infrastructure that the Secretary General pointed out. I share Mr. Trump’s vision of peace in the Ukraine War and declare my support for Ukraine’s priority needs lists initiative. In addition to the military support we provide to Ukraine from our own national inventory, we will continue our contribution within the scope of Puer El access. While we support Ukraine, we also use our communication channels to guide Russia towards peace.

“WE ARE READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CLEANING OF MINES”

I appreciate the determined attitude of my friend Mr. Trump in helping to resolve the Iranian crisis, despite the sabotage attempts. In addition to our diplomatic efforts, we are ready to make the necessary contribution to clearing the Strait of Hormuz of mines. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to America and Spain, especially Germany and Italy, who deployed additional air defense batteries, for the support provided by NATO elements against the missiles targeting Türkiye.

“WE ALL HAVE A DUTY IN GAZA AND LEBANON”

I attach importance to the fact that our partners from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative are with us today, as I believe it is essential for us to increase our participation. I emphasize once again that the key to lasting peace in the Middle East is the two-state solution. I would like to express that we all have a duty to ensure peace, especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Finally, I remind you that we must be in full solidarity in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, I hope that the Ankara Summit will be beneficial, and I would like to thank those who contributed to the preparations of the summit.

BREAKING NEWS… The 36th NATO Summit started hosted by Ankara. Before the leaders’ meeting, US President Trump and NATO Secretary General Rutte answered journalists’ questions.

“THE CEASE CEASE WITH IRAN HAS ENDED”

US President Trump made critical statements by saying “I’m sorry for NATO.” Making evaluations about the Iran War, Trump used the following statements in his statements:

I think the ceasefire is over. Sick people rule Iran. If they had nuclear weapons, they would use them. As far as I’m concerned, this is over. The Iranians made a fake deal. We made an agreement with the Iranians. They continued to act like we never talked. They can meet. But they waste time. They are liars, cheats and sick. They killed 35 thousand people.

People also started to question. How can they not take over this state? People died. I don’t want to waste my time with these people. Our team can continue the conversation. I don’t like Iran anymore. They did not treat the USA fairly at all. I love Erdoğan.

“I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH SPAIN”

Spain is a truly terrible NATO ally. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Spain stands out the most and there are other countries that behave badly. Spain is clearly behaving badly. They will come back saying ‘Please we want to trade with you’.

“WE SPENT 1 TRILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR”

We spent 1 trillion dollars in the past short term. To protect these countries from Russia. Mark understands my problems. We will solve this somehow. We were covering 100 percent of NATO. Some countries paid nothing. I called England and talked to Germany, they didn’t want to help. Some smaller countries wanted to help. Even though I’m angry at NATO and I’m paying millions of dollars, I say they’re not fair. NATO is very lucky to have such a leader.

GREENLAND ISSUE

Greenland is very important to the USA. He shouldn’t have given Greenland away. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t give up the Panama Canal.

Türkiye WILL BUY F-35s

Türkiye has a huge military power. Türkiye will purchase F-35s.

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, at the “Allies in Ankara” event, organized within the scope of the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, in cooperation with the Presidential Directorate of Communications, Munich Security Conference (MSC) and the Foundation for Politics, Economics and Social Research (SETA).
participated in the programme. Speaking here, Güler said, “While most of Europe was downsizing its armed forces after the Cold War, Turkey increased its preparedness level, invested in the defense industry and maintained its ability to operate in difficult environments. The continuity enjoyed with these broad opportunities and capabilities has turned into a strategic advantage for both Turkey and the Alliance today.” Güler said, “We welcome Europe’s stronger contribution to defense. However, this contribution should not compete with NATO, but should strengthen NATO. European security initiatives should be open to all non-EU NATO allies with relevant capabilities. Excluding Türkiye will not make Europe safer. Our expectation is clear. NATO-EU cooperation should be inclusive, integrative and mutually reinforcing. For a stronger, more realistic and more balanced NATO, the equal participation of all Allies and the equal participation of all Allies. “It is necessary to take full advantage of its capabilities,” he said.