Belgian Protection Minister Theo Francken stated Türkiye is crucial NATO best friend and that Europe must make higher use of Turkish era in protection manufacturing, forward of the July 7-8 NATO assembly in Ankara.
He stated NATO had confronted tricky occasions just lately and that harmony was once due to this fact extra vital than ever.
“There was discussion about the Middle East, about the war against the Iranian regime, we had some tensions on opening the military bases for American aircraft, we had some discussions about stepping up on defense spending,” Francken stated. “Of course, it was not the easiest year for NATO.”
He stressed out the will for cooperation on protection funding, the NATO Drive Fashion, higher manufacturing, air protection and new applied sciences.
“United we stand, divided we fall and I think that is most important: show unity,” he stated.
Requested about his expectancies for the summit, Francken stated: “I’m looking forward to go to Ankara because the warm hospitality of the Turkish people is so, so, so nice.”
He stated he would additionally attend the NATO Protection Business Discussion board.
Francken stated the alliance’s 2d precedence must be era, air protection and higher commercial manufacturing, whilst the 3rd must be persevered make stronger for Ukraine.
Infantrymen stand guard at Ay Yildiz Joint Headquarters, which brings in combination the Common Personnel and the Military, Army, and Air Drive instructions beneath one roof, in Ankara, Türkiye on July 2, 2026. (AA Picture)
‘NATO 3.0’ calls for higher Eu duty
Requested in regards to the “NATO 3.0” imaginative and prescient anticipated to take form on the Ankara assembly, Francken stated Belgium and different Eu allies should suppose higher duty.
“Belgium and European allies need to step up, invest highly in defense and be there to take the security architecture of the European continent into our own hands,” he stated. “That is actually the challenge and that’s what we need to do.”
On the possibility of the U.S. reducing its military contribution in Europe and European allies filling the resulting gaps, Francken said NATO needed strong planning.
“What we need to do is have good planning, NATO planning. The SACEUR, Supreme Allied Commander, is doing this,” he stated. “It’s important that we really get that going, have good plans and follow those plans.”
Francken stated this supposed assembly goals and addressing all capacity gaps as a result of U.S. troops and armed forces belongings can be withdrawn from Europe as Washington shifted its center of attention towards Asia and the Pacific.
“That means that we have to step up and fulfil our challenges, fill those gaps and that’s what we need to do,” he stated.
Francken stated Belgium would allocate air-to-air refueling plane, F-16 fighter jets, MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance features beneath the NATO Drive Fashion.
“We are immediately ready to deploy more for NATO from the Belgian defense,” he stated.
Francken urges inclusion of Türkiye in SAFE-II
Francken additionally highlighted Türkiye’s contributions to NATO and stated the rustic must be integrated in Eu protection techniques.
“Türkiye is a very important ally. It’s a long-standing ally. It’s a country that is very important within NATO,” he stated. “So, yes, we need Türkiye within NATO and I hope that we can work very well together.”
Francken stated he had heard that the summit can be “organized 100% super, super good” and that he was once having a look ahead to experiencing Turkish hospitality once more.
“I love Ankara, I love Türkiye, so I’m really looking forward to be there,” he stated.
Francken stated Türkiye must be integrated in SAFE-II, regarding the EU’s protection financing mechanism.
“For me, Türkiye needs to be in SAFE-II,” he stated. “I think that it’s necessary to have a SAFE-II package on loans, European loans, and I think Türkiye needs to be in. The fact that Türkiye was not in SAFE-I, it is a mistake.”
“We can learn a lot from your technology,” he added.
Belgian minister praises Turkish corvette
Francken additionally referred to his consult with to Türkiye’s TCG Burgazada corvette, which is docked at Belgium’s Zeebrugge Naval Base for Army Days 2026.
“I saw your corvette ship, it is beautiful, it has a lot of technology, it’s high standard,” he stated.
Francken stated Türkiye had to be a part of Europe’s protection manufacturing efforts on account of its significance as an best friend.
“We need to work together. We have adversaries, enemies that are getting stronger every day, so we need to work together to stand strong and defend our values,” he stated.
Belgium seeks deeper protection cooperation
Francken stated Belgium and Türkiye already cooperate in different spaces, together with joint coaching actions beneath NATO.
“I think that we can also look to do procurement together, industrial cooperation together,” he stated.
He additionally referred to Belgium’s financial project to Türkiye ultimate month, announcing it was once proceeding to provide new agreements.
“We had our economic mission to Türkiye and now still contracts are coming out,” he stated. “Even months after, you see that the economic mission gives really good results. So, that’s something positive and we go with that flow, we continue.”
July 03, 2026 12:23 PM GMT+03:00
