NATO’s Ankara summit opened Saturday under heavy security after Turkish authorities arrested nearly 180 people on terrorism charges, while alliance leaders prepared to unveil tens of billions in new defense contracts aimed at strengthening collective deterrence. Police raids and preemptive detentions across the capital have drawn criticism from human rights groups, but NATO officials praised Ankara’s “incredible defense capacity” as the alliance gathers to chart its future course.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters Friday that talks with Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in Ottawa had elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with cooperation expected to expand across defense, nuclear energy and trade ahead of the landmark summit. The announcement follows NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s confirmation Thursday that the alliance will unveil “tens of billions of dollars” in new defense contracts during the Ankara meeting, signaling a push to translate economic strength into military capabilities amid rising global tensions.

Security has dominated the run-up to the summit. Turkish prosecutors have sent 78 individuals to prison on terrorism-related charges in recent days, according to local reports, while authorities denied claims of a citywide curfew. NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary-General Berti hailed Turkey’s “incredible defense capacity” in three critical areas, telling reporters the country’s military role “certifies” its strength as a key ally. Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop told CNN Türk Saturday that counterterrorism efforts had resolved 80 to 90 percent of the issue, though he stressed the measures were temporary and not an amnesty.

The crackdown has drawn international scrutiny. Greek-American lawmakers Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Haridopoulos and Jimmy Patronis issued a joint statement Friday opposing a proposed $700 million sale of fighter jet engines to Turkey, warning Ankara remains a destabilizing force in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, NATO chief Rutte declined to comment on Iran’s ballistic missile program as the alliance finalized its agenda.

Security for visiting leaders has been tightened, with Norwegian media reporting increased protection for Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg over credible terrorist threats. As NATO prepares to position Ankara at the center of its strategic vision, the summit opens against a backdrop of both celebration of Turkey’s military contributions and concern over the erosion of civil liberties in the host city.

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Türkiye, Canada aim for strategic partnership ahead of NATO summit Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that talks with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in Ottawa focused on elevating bilateral ties to a strategic level, unlocking cooperation potential across defense, nuclear energy and trade ahead of a landmark NATO summit in Ankara.

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