Ankara: Trkiye's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, emphasized the significance of strong partnerships and equality within NATO during a speech at the 'Allies in Ankara' program held at Ankara Palas. His remarks came as the world faces an era marked by uncertainty, polarization, and fragmentation, coinciding with the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kalin, who leads the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), highlighted the need for NATO to evolve its understanding of security beyond a purely military concept, adapting to what he termed as a 'new reality.' He underscored the responsibility of all NATO members to contribute to the strategic security environment, noting the evolving nature of security, threats, and identities into hybrid forms. Kalin called for a reassessment of concepts such as nations, borders, and states to address these changes.
Kalin stressed the importance of equal relations within NATO, pointing out that inconsistencies and inequality among member states have been longstanding criticisms within the alliance. He reiterated that the principle of collective security within NATO is predicated on mutual safety, asserting that threats to one member should elicit a response from all. However, he acknowledged that this principle has not always been effectively implemented.
Highlighting complementarity as a key element of the alliance, Kalin emphasized the significance of strategic resilience and preventive diplomacy. He defined resilience as having the necessary depth and resources to tackle security challenges and advocated for capacity sharing among NATO members. He argued that no single member country can possess all capabilities, making complementarity crucial for a strategic alliance.
Kalin also addressed the importance of shared responsibility in intra-alliance security and defense industry programs, arguing for the sharing of industrial capacities in the defense sector to develop preventive capabilities and deterrence.
He cautioned that failing to maintain a reliable and healthy strategic security environment could lead to inevitable conflicts and wars. Kalin stressed the importance of NATO making collective strategic security investments and establishing a balance between unity and diversity, arguing that uncertainty should be leveraged as an opportunity for resilience and strategic planning.
Kalin also spoke on Trkiye's role within NATO, asserting its strong position in the alliance based on power, troop numbers, capacity, and industrial contribution. He criticized the traditional labeling of Trkiye as NATO's 'southern flank,' advocating for a perception of the country as an equal partner rather than being defined by geographic labels.
The ongoing Ankara summit, hosted by Trkiye, has gathered leaders from NATO's 32 member states, along with partners from the Asia-Pacific region and invited guests, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The summit aims to underscore allied unity and address key issues, including the development of the 'NATO 3.0' vision, defense spending commitments, and support for Ukraine amid recent transatlantic tensions.