Washington: The atmosphere towards Trkiye in the US Congress is 'steadily improving,' the head of the Turkish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) said Wednesday. Leading the group during visits in Washington as part of the Transatlantic Forum, Mevlut Cavusoglu noted meetings with delegations from several countries, including US lawmakers, and observed 'a steadily improving atmosphere toward Trkiye in Washington, particularly in Congress.'

According to Anadolu Agency, the forum provided an opportunity to assess key issues for NATO, including its target of increasing defense expenditures to 5% of GDP, as well as broader alliance priorities. The delegation reviewed issues such as defense industry innovation, joint production, removing trade barriers to defense products, strengthening NATO's capabilities and deterrence posture, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Cavusoglu emphasized that restrictions on defense trade between allies contradict the spirit of solidarity. He noted that some restrictions still target Trkiye and highlighted Ankara's important perspectives on regional and global crises due to its active role in conflict resolution. Mediation efforts and US President Donald Trump's proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan were also discussed, according to Cavusoglu, who is also a former Turkish foreign minister.

Cavusoglu mentioned that the US administration's new security strategy document was raised mainly by European participants, who voiced concerns over parts of it. He stressed the delegation's reminder to US lawmakers about commitments made during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's September meeting with President Donald Trump, urging Congress to support the momentum created by both leaders. He added that the sentiments and expectations of both parties were aligned.

Highlighting Trkiye's role as the host of next year's NATO summit, Cavusoglu announced that the meeting will be held in the capital Ankara on July 7-8 under President Erdogan's chairmanship. He also mentioned that the NATO Parliamentary Summit will take place in Trkiye, marking two major gatherings next year, along with the UN climate change summit COP31.