Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler once again highlights Turkey’s decisive role in European security architecture in the second part of his interview with Posta newspaper and Hakan Çelik, arguing that Ankara constitutes an irreplaceable factor for NATO and European stability.
The Turkish minister emphasized that despite occasional disagreements among allies, the Alliance continues to function based on collective defense and common commitments. He also stated that different approaches can be resolved through NATO’s dialogue mechanisms, while noting that the US now asks European allies to take on a greater share of responsibility for the continent’s security.
Yaşar Güler: There is no new change in rules of engagement for 2026
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations and the “disputes” in the Aegean, Güler maintained that Ankara’s position remains unchanged, emphasizing that Turkey will not accept unilateral moves that – according to the Turkish view – would limit its access to the open sea and international airspace. Meanwhile, the Turkish minister noted that there is no new change in the rules of engagement for 2026.
Güler also referred to the operational capabilities of the Turkish armed forces, arguing that the Turkish navy can operate across a wide geographical arc from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, while mentioning that Ankara is investing in new military technologies and programs. He pointed out that beyond the “Blue Homeland,” Turkey also emphasizes the concepts of “Cyber Homeland” and “Sky Homeland,” as conflicts of the new era extend into cyberspace, space, and the information domain.
