Military sanctions contradict spirit of NATO alliance: FM Fidan
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski shake hands before a meeting in Helenow, central Poland, June 26, 2024. (IHA Photo)


Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Ankara's criticism of some NATO allies for imposing sanctions against it, saying that it contradicts the spirit of the military alliance.

"The imposition of sanctions by alliance member countries on each other is not consistent with the spirit of alliance," Fidan said in Warsaw on Wednesday, noting that sanctions, restrictions, and impediments should be completely lifted among the allies, especially in the defense industry sector.

"Sanctions and restrictions not only affect the allied country subject to them but also undermine NATO's deterrent capability and defense capacity," he added.

Fidan also said that extremely sensitive issues, such as the fight against terrorism, need all NATO allies to show maximum solidarity.

Emphasizing that Israel, under the guise of ensuring its own security, has been killing Gazans in front of the whole world and displacing millions of people, Fidan urged countries that unconditionally support Israel to "consider their attitudes before it's too late."

Fidan on Wednesday met with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski during a working trip to Warsaw.

Fidan and Sikorski also helmed delegation talks to discuss Türkiye-Poland relations, bolstering NATO’s European wing and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Turkish diplomat is expected to attend a trilateral meeting with Sikorski and Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu later on Wednesday.

The Türkiye-Romania-Poland Trilateral Cooperation Process foreign ministers meeting will discuss preparations for NATO heads of state and government summit in Washington this July 9-11, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

It will address current security challenges in NATO's vicinity and discuss steps that can be taken to further enhance relations among the three countries.

The meeting is also expected to address the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza.

Fidan is expected to highlight Ankara's priority expectations from the NATO Washington summit in the context of the spirit of alliance.

Defense industry, counterterrorism efforts

The Turkish foreign minister also will underline the necessity for the complete removal of sanctions, restrictions and impediments in the defense industry domain, in line with the commitments of NATO allies at the alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last October.

Fidan will underscore that such sanctions, restrictions and impediments not only harm the national defense capacities of individual allies but also undermine the alliance's deterrence and defense efforts and capabilities in the current international security environment.

He is expected to highlight the need for NATO to increase its contributions to international efforts in comprehensive counterterrorism, stressing that combating terrorism is a fundamental element for the security of NATO's southern flank and Europe.

Fidan will share Ankara's views and proposals on how Europe's defense and security can be more effectively ensured in a strategic environment shaped by threats and challenges.

During the meeting, Türkiye plans to raise and discuss a joint letter sent by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to the European Commission president.

The letter proposes the establishment of an air defense shield funded by the EU and exclusively for the protection of the EU.

Türkiye aims to bring up the implications and drawbacks of this proposal.

The political-military consultation mechanism among the three countries was established in 2012 at the initiative of Romania, and the first consultation at the foreign ministers' level took place in Warsaw in 2016.

Türkiye hosted the most recent trilateral foreign ministers meeting in 2022.