Politics
Türkiye rallies int’l community for protection of children in digital age
The Ministry of Family and Social Services will host a two-day summit starting on Tuesday for the protection of children in the digital world. Representatives from 17 countries, including 11 ministers, will attend the event in Ankara, which first lady Emine Erdoğan will also participate in.
The summit aims to discuss joint steps for digital security for children and global cooperation on the matter.
The ministry said in a statement that it would collaborate with UNICEF and the United Nations Office of the Special Representative on Violence against Children for the summit. Along with ministers, ambassadors from 30 countries and representatives of international tech companies will attend the summit.
Emine Erdoğan and Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş are expected to address the first session of the summit. Other speakers include Shakhnoza Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Social Protection, Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence against Children. The ministry said dignitaries from
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, South Africa, Ghana and Egypt, along with lawmakers from Turkish parliament’s Digital Platforms Committee, will participate in technical panels where prevention policies for protecting children in digital environments and digital literacy will be addressed.
In sessions discussing responsible technology governance and global practices, representatives from global tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google will share their views alongside representatives from Türkiye’s Presidency of Communications, the Cybersecurity Presidency, the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK), and the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation). Furthermore, a special session will be organized where children and youth from various countries will share their digital experiences and offer solution proposals.
Within the scope of the summit, Türkiye’s “Action Plan for the Empowerment of Children in the Digital World (2026-2030),” prepared to protect children from digital risks, will be shared with participating countries.
Solutions developed against digital risks and for safe online behavior through the Ministry’s instant notification mechanisms, available via website and mobile app, will be presented as a model application.
Legal regulation studies forecasting new obligations for social network providers and gaming platforms will form a significant agenda item for the technical sessions.
Earlier this month, Parliament began debating a draft law package that includes restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15, as authorities seek to strengthen protections against harmful online content.
If adopted, the legislation would require social media companies to implement age verification systems, introduce parental control tools and respond swiftly to content considered harmful.
The government says the proposal aims to reduce risks to children’s safety and privacy online.
Under the draft proposal, digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and others would have to block children under 15 from opening accounts and introduce parental controls that would manage children’s access.
Measures on children’s access to social media have gained momentum globally in recent months. In Australia, measures introduced in December targeted users under 16, with social media companies revoking access to millions of accounts identified as belonging to children. Last month, Indonesia began enforcing a new regulation banning children under 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to risks such as pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction. Other countries, including Spain, France and the United Kingdom, are also taking or considering similar steps, citing growing concerns over the impact of unregulated social media content on children.
Most recently, Greece also announced that access to social media for children under the age of 15 would be restricted from Jan. 1, 2027.
Roundtable meetings at the ministerial level at the summit will evaluate holistic policies for the protection and empowerment of children, examples of best practices, and opportunities for international cooperation. Following the speeches by relevant ministers, technical sessions will be held under the headings of “Responsibilities of the Private Sector” and “Digital Participation of Children.”
At the conclusion of the two-day program, a final declaration containing priority areas and solution paths for creating safer digital spaces for children will be shared.
The publication of a joint declaration by NATO leaders at the end of the summit’s second day in Ankara has renewed attention on Türkiye’s expanding role in the alliance, with security experts pointing to Türkiye’s growing strategic weight within the alliance amid evolving internal and external threats.
“We have sharp differences across the Atlantic, there are two threats; one is external and the other is internal.” Edward P Joseph, a foreign policy lecturer and analyst at Johns Hopkins University, told Daily Sabah.
Türkiye hosted the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara on July 7-8, with leaders issuing a final declaration reaffirming their “unwavering commitment” to Article 5, the alliance’s collective defense clause, and to the transatlantic bond.
“Russia represents a threat. Iran also, we have to say, represents a threat,” Joseph said.
“An attack against one ally is an attack against all allies,” the declaration said, adding that NATO’s unity, solidarity and collective strength remain the foundation of peace, security and prosperity for 1 billion citizens across the alliance’s free and democratic nations.
The declaration reaffirmed allies’ “unwavering” support for Ukraine, saying the country continues to contribute to transatlantic security while defending its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It said European allies and Canada now provide the bulk of security assistance to Ukraine through bilateral and multilateral channels, stressing that such support must remain fair, predictable and sustainable over the long term. Allies pledged 70 billion euros (about $80 billion) in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026 and reaffirmed sovereign commitments to maintain at least the same level of support in 2027.
Addressing broader security challenges, the declaration said NATO would continue adapting to strategic competition, widespread instability, hybrid threats and recurring crises. It reiterated that Iran “must never develop a nuclear weapon” and called on Tehran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We also have ambivalence in the United States, this distancing from NATO. President Trump is complaining,” he said hoping that this summit is a reminder to the U.S. leader and all allies of how valuable NATO is.
“The alliance is valuable to Türkiye and it’s valuable to all 32,” he added.
The U.S. president previously criticized the financial burden Washington bears within NATO, arguing that the alliance’s cost-sharing remains unequal.
In a social media post, Trump shared a graphic comparing NATO defense spending by member states and said it was “ridiculous” for the United States to continue what he described as a one-sided relationship. “They were not there for us,” he wrote.
Türkiye’s key role
Turning to Türkiye’s key role in the alliance and its hosting the summit this year, Joseph underlined that the summit has elevated Türkiye’s role and it’s been like a showcase of the country because of the second-largest army in the alliance, and so that’s been very significant.
Türkiye currently contributes nearly 3,000 personnel, along with various weapons, vehicles and military platforms, to ongoing NATO missions, operations and initiatives.
This year, Türkiye joined NATO’s Steadfast Dart exercise in Germany from Feb. 12-24, held to improve the operational readiness of the Allied Reaction Force. The country contributed naval, land and air elements, including the Anadolu Task Group, and deployed a joint force of more than 2,000 personnel to Germany.
“And the summit itself, today is the summit so I want to wait and see what the outcome is. But the dynamics, everything I see and witness having engaged with some of the key officials, I think the dynamics are more positive than people anticipated,” he said.
Since joining NATO, Türkiye has steadily expanded its contributions to the alliance’s missions and operations, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Libya and Iraq. Turkish officials say the country has preserved and developed Cold War-era military capabilities while also fighting terrorism and responding to regional instability.
U.S. President Donald Trump thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for successfully hosting the NATO summit.
Trump hailed Erdoğan as “a great leader” and described the two-day summit in the capital, Ankara, as “very successful.”
“We just concluded a very successful NATO summit here in Türkiye,” Trump said at a news conference as the two-day NATO summit ended in the Turkish capital.
Trump thanked Erdoğan for hosting the summit.
“I want to thank President Erdoğan, who’s really a great man. He’s a great leader. He’s a friend of mine, been a friend of mine for a long time. He’s a strong person, a very strong personality, and that’s why he runs such a successful and good country,” he added.
The summit in Ankara brought together leaders of the 32-member alliance as well as key partners to discuss Europe’s defense capacity, the alliance’s defense spending targets, military modernization, and continued support for Ukraine.
Trump said during the summit that they discussed the target of spending 5% of GDP on defense.
“In the working session this morning, we discussed the progress other members are making toward the 5% target … some have truly answered the call and others are making big changes, and will be answering the call … I urge all nations to accelerate their plans to get to the benchmark as quickly as possible,” he added.
Trump said there was “tremendous unity” in the summit.
“And I urge all nations to accelerate their plans to get the benchmark as quickly as possible. The benchmark is going to be that 5% number; that’s the number it should have been for years,” he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron was spotted running on Wednesday morning on the streets of the Turkish capital Ankara, where he arrived to attend the NATO summit.
Accompanied by his bodyguards and French officials, Macron waved to media crews and the public as he sprinted around Seğmenler Park and near Çankaya, a former presidential residence, after he left his hotel. He was expected to join other leaders at the summit venue for a family photo and the official launch of the leaders’ session at the event.
Türkiye has earlier denied reports that certain routes in Ankara would be shut down exclusively for Macron’s jogging routine. Tight security was all around the capital anyway for the 36th summit of NATO heads of state and governments, where leaders from Donald Trump to Italy’s Giorgia Meloni will attend.
Macron barely skips his morning runs in trips abroad and has been spotted jogging during visits to China, India and Egypt.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on Monday criticized the European Parliament Türkiye rapporteur, Nacho Sanchez Amor, over remarks about the country’s judiciary, saying no one could interfere in Türkiye’s ongoing judicial proceedings or attempt to pressure its courts.
In a statement posted on social media, Gürlek said Türkiye is “an independent, sovereign and democratic state governed by the rule of law,” adding that judicial authority is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
He said the monitoring of judicial proceedings in Türkiye by international actors reflected the country’s democratic maturity and transparency, but argued that comments made about ongoing cases amounted to an unacceptable attempt to influence the judiciary.
“It is unacceptable to make statements at courthouse doors as if delivering a verdict on pending cases. Such remarks target the Turkish judiciary and seek to place judicial processes under political pressure,” Gürlek said.
The minister stressed that judicial proceedings in Türkiye are conducted in accordance with the Constitution, domestic laws, evidence presented in court and the decisions of independent judges, rather than the political agendas, ideological expectations or lobbying efforts of foreign actors.
“No one can point a finger at Turkish courts, attempt to influence ongoing trials, place the Turkish judiciary under pressure or interfere in our country’s internal affairs,” he said.
Gürlek also said Türkiye had safeguarded its national will under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against what he described as tutelary forces, coup plotters, terrorist organizations and those seeking to lecture the country on democracy from abroad.
His comments came in response to recent remarks by Sanchez Amor concerning Türkiye’s judiciary and ongoing legal proceedings.
Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler welcomed NATO defense ministers and senior alliance officials to the Ay Yıldız (Crescent and Star) Joint Headquarters in Ankara on Tuesday, using the high-profile reception to showcase Türkiye’s next-generation military command center as the country hosts the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.
The reception was held in the Yıldız (Star) section of the still-under-construction headquarters, according to Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry. Güler greeted guests upon their arrival before delivering remarks during the event, which formed part of the two-day NATO summit in the Turkish capital.
The gathering offered one of the first major international glimpses inside the sprawling Ay Yıldız complex, an ambitious defense project that will eventually bring together the Turkish Armed Forces’ top command under one roof.
Designed to centralize Türkiye’s military leadership, the headquarters will house the National Defense Ministry, the General Staff, and the commands of the Land, Naval and Air Forces in a single integrated complex. Officials say the project will strengthen coordination, speed decision-making and enhance the country’s joint operational capabilities.
Construction of the headquarters began in 2021 following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Located in Ankara’s Etimesgut district, the 12.6 million-square-meter site is expected to accommodate approximately 15,000 personnel once completed, with the full project scheduled for completion in early 2028.
Inspired by the crescent and star on the Turkish flag, the headquarters combines symbolic architecture with advanced military infrastructure. The facility incorporates smart-building technology, environmentally sustainable features and modern command, control and communications systems designed to support both current and future operational needs.
Turkish officials describe the complex as a cornerstone of the country’s defense modernization strategy, strengthening institutional integration while improving Türkiye’s ability to contribute to NATO missions. Because of its scale and centralized command structure, it has frequently been compared to the Pentagon in the United States.
The reception came as Türkiye hosts the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, marking the second time the country has welcomed the alliance’s leaders after the 2004 summit in Istanbul.
The two-day summit, held in Ankara, has brought together leaders from NATO’s 32 member states, senior alliance officials, Asia-Pacific partners and invited guests, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Discussions are expected to focus on reinforcing allied unity amid evolving transatlantic dynamics, maintaining long-term support for Ukraine, increasing defense spending and strengthening NATO’s future military posture.
A central topic is the alliance’s proposed “NATO 3.0” vision, which envisions European allies assuming greater responsibility for conventional defense while the United States reassesses its military presence across Europe. The strategy reflects growing calls for increased burden-sharing within the alliance as NATO adapts to an increasingly complex global security environment.
The summit also includes talks on defense industrial cooperation, military readiness and the implementation of commitments made at previous alliance meetings.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday he is confident that long-standing issues between Türkiye and the United States can move toward positive outcomes, citing his close cooperation and strong relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump following their high-profile meeting at the NATO Summit in Ankara.
Erdoğan made the remarks in a social media post after holding bilateral talks with Trump at the Presidential Complex, where Türkiye welcomed the U.S. president with a full state ceremony featuring military honors, Turkish and American flags, and an official reception.
“I was pleased to host my valued friend, U.S. President Donald Trump, who paid an official visit to our country on the occasion of the NATO Ankara Summit,” Erdoğan wrote. “I believe we will achieve positive results on many of the issues on our agenda through our solidarity and strong relations.”
The meeting took place on the opening day of the July 7-8 NATO Summit, which Türkiye is hosting for the second time after the alliance gathered in Istanbul in 2004. Trump’s visit also marks the first by a sitting U.S. president to Türkiye since Barack Obama traveled to the country in 2015.
The leaders met as NATO members debated some of the alliance’s most pressing security challenges, including increased defense spending, military production, support for Ukraine, regional stability, and burden-sharing among member states. Trump has urged allies to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, making the issue one of the summit’s defining topics.
Türkiye entered the summit with growing influence inside the alliance, backed by NATO’s second-largest military, an expanding defense industry, and its strategic position between Europe, the Middle East, and the Black Sea region.
Although neither side released a detailed readout of the discussions, the meeting was widely expected to cover several key bilateral issues. Among them were defense cooperation, including the future of U.S. sanctions on Türkiye and Ankara’s long-standing interest in rejoining the F-35 fighter jet program. Trump has previously suggested he is open to advancing defense ties with Türkiye, pointing to his personal relationship with Erdoğan.
Regional security also likely featured prominently, with discussions expected to include developments in Syria, the broader Middle East, the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, counterterrorism efforts, and energy security.
Economic cooperation was another likely focus, as both governments continue exploring opportunities to expand trade and investment while strengthening collaboration in Türkiye’s rapidly growing defense manufacturing sector. Turkish-made drones and other advanced defense systems have been showcased during the summit’s Defense Industry Forum.
The meeting underscored the increasingly personal diplomacy between Erdoğan and Trump, a relationship that has endured despite years of disagreements over issues such as Türkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system and differing approaches to the conflict in Syria.
Trump has repeatedly described Erdoğan as a close friend and an important strategic partner, saying their relationship played a major role in his decision to attend the Ankara summit.
Erdoğan’s message reflected optimism that their longstanding rapport can translate into tangible progress on issues that have complicated U.S.-Türkiye relations for years, while reinforcing cooperation within NATO as the alliance confronts evolving global security challenges.
The NATO summit continues with plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, and working groups involving alliance leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with additional announcements expected as discussions progress.
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