Romania's president to push for Black Sea security at NATO summit in Ankara

Summit agenda and Romanian priorities

The North Atlantic Council will convene at heads-of-state level on July 7-8 in Ankara, with leaders set to adopt a Summit Declaration. The agenda focuses on meeting defence spending pledges, increasing European allies' responsibilities, sustaining support for Ukraine, and strengthening the Alliance's operational and industrial base. President Nicușor Dan will reaffirm Romania's role as a reliable ally and press for continued allied backing for security in the Black Sea region. He will also stress the need to reinforce deterrence and defence uniformly across the Eastern Flank, with particular attention to air and maritime capabilities.

The Alliance's leaders are meeting in Ankara in a security climate that continues to deteriorate as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine and developments in the Middle East. In this context, the Allies will focus on maintaining transatlantic unity and reaffirming the priority given to collective defence.

Turkey's preparations and local backlash

Ankara has spent over $235 million on infrastructure upgrades, including renovating a military airport and building new roads, ahead of the summit that will host 32 heads of state, among them US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Municipal workers have planted flowers and erected giant billboards along the highway from the airport to mask views of dilapidated houses and poorer neighbourhoods. Road closures and security measures have drawn sharp criticism from residents and opposition politicians.

Ankara has practically become an open-air prison... The entire capital has been blocked to facilitate the movement of a few official motorcades.

Rumours that parks would be closed to allow President Macron to jog were denied. The Turkish Taxi Federation urged drivers to wear grey trousers and white shirts and to offer guests water, Turkish delight and cologne.

We will offer our guests water, Turkish delight and cologne to demonstrate Turkish hospitality.

Symbolism and bilateral meetings

This is the second NATO summit hosted by Turkey, after the one in 2004 when Romania participated for the first time as an ally, giving the event a symbolic dimension for Bucharest. On the sidelines, President Dan will hold a series of bilateral meetings. First Lady Mirabela Grădinaru will attend the official reception and dinner on July 7 hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan, and on July 8 she will join events organised by the Turkish first lady.