Erdogan tells Rutte conditions needed to get approval as NATO chief
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Turkey's President informed Dutch PM Rutte that Turkey expects the new head of the security alliance to prioritize the needs and interests of all allies.
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) in a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (R) in Ankara, Turkey on March 22, 2022. (Turkish Presidency via AP)
The Turkish President's office announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, over the phone, conditions that need to be met for Turkey to support Rutte's candidacy for the NATO secretary general position.
"President Erdogan stressed that the next Secretary-General should serve the member countries’ security and interests in the best manner in terms of the fight against terror and other challenges, strengthen the Alliance’s unity and prioritize NATO’s main role, make convincing commitments in terms of the fundamental values of the Alliance and the adherence to its established practices, and take into consideration the sensitivities of the non-EU allies," the office said on X on Sunday.
📞: I just spoke with Turkish President @RTErdogan. First we took the opportunity to mark a special milestone: the 100th anniversary this year of the conclusion the Treaty of Friendship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Türkiye. Other topics we discussed…
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) March 31, 2024
Jens Stoltenberg's term as NATO secretary general was initially set to conclude in October 2022. However, amid the war in Ukraine, it was extended for an additional year. In July, the alliance further prolonged Stoltenberg's term until October 2024.
It is worth mentioning that in February this year, US President Joe Biden reportedly endorsed Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg, according to a US official cited by Politico on Wednesday. The backing from the US President is expected to garner greater support from allies for Rutte's nomination.
Politico stated that approximately two-thirds of NATO nations are currently supporting the nomination of Rutte to assume leadership of NATO this year. However, it is crucial to note that the decision necessitates unanimous agreement among all NATO member states.
The report also mentioned that Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins are not considered potential candidates, as they have not officially submitted their candidacies, according to NATO officials.
