Turkey is set to host the NATO Summit for the second time. The two-day summit will be held in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, while the alliance’s previous leaders’ summit in the country took place in Istanbul in 2004.
Turkey’s strategic partnership with NATO began when it joined the alliance in 1952 and has evolved over the decades under the influence of security crises, regional developments, and geopolitical tensions.
Despite occasional disagreements with some NATO members, Turkey has maintained its important position within the alliance’s security structure. Through its role in regional developments and defense cooperation, the country has become one of NATO’s influential members.
The decision to hold the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara has been described as reflecting Turkey’s efforts to play a more active role in Europe’s evolving security architecture and to make greater use of its defense industry capabilities within the framework of NATO cooperation.
But how did Turkey’s accession to NATO come about, and how have relations between the country and the alliance developed over the decades?
Turkey’s Accession to NATO in 1952
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. Turkey, which had remained neutral during World War II, moved rapidly toward Western security structures after the end of the war.
One of the main factors behind Ankara’s shift in policy was its concern over Soviet demands for the establishment of bases in Turkey’s strategic straits. This issue encouraged Turkey to strengthen its security ties with Western countries.
During the Korean War, which began in 1950 and lasted for three years, Turkey deployed four military brigades to the conflict. This decision sent an important political message to NATO members and represented a significant step toward the country’s eventual membership in the alliance.
On 18 February 1952, NATO began its first expansion process, with Turkey and Greece becoming members of the alliance. Through this accession, Turkey was formally integrated into the Western security structure for the first time during the Cold War.
The year 1955 was also a significant moment in Cold War history, as West Germany joined NATO, prompting the Soviet Union to establish the Warsaw Pact with its allies in response. During this period, Turkey became a key member of the Western bloc in its confrontation with the Eastern bloc.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
