Ankara deploys 56,000 security forces for NATO summit as Erdogan and Trump prepare for bilateral talks
Turkey is preparing to host the 36th NATO summit on July 7-8, with 56,288 security personnel deployed across Ankara. A bilateral meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump is expected to dominate the agenda.
Security operation
Turkey has completed organisational and operational preparations for the 36th NATO summit of heads of state and government, to be held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on July 7 and 8 under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Communications Directorate of the Turkish presidency announced that 56,288 security personnel will be deployed for the event, including 48,841 police officers, 7,447 gendarmerie personnel and 639 cybersecurity specialists. Three airports will be used for the transport of delegations.
- Police
- 48841 personnel
- Gendarmerie
- 7447 personnel
- Cybersecurity
- 639 personnel
Erdogan-Trump bilateral meeting
Turkish media have published the first details of US President Donald Trump's visit programme. Trump is expected to arrive in Ankara on July 7 accompanied by a large American delegation that has already taken over security preparations and operational planning. His first official stop will be Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, where he will pay his respects. He will then proceed to the Presidential Palace for an official welcome ceremony hosted by President Erdogan. After the ceremony, the two leaders will hold a private meeting, followed by expanded delegation talks covering a range of bilateral and regional issues. The possibility of joint statements and the signing of cooperation agreements is being examined.
- President Trump arrives with a large US delegation.
- Trump pays respects at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
- President Erdogan hosts an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
- The two leaders hold a one-on-one meeting.
- Delegations discuss bilateral and regional issues.
- Possible joint statements and signing of cooperation agreements.
Defence industry forum
Alongside the summit, a Defence Industry Forum will take place on July 7 at the ATO Congresium, with the participation of NATO officials, government representatives and leading defence companies. The forum aims to promote new partnerships and armament programmes.
Protests and city preparations
All demonstrations and public gatherings have been banned in Ankara, but protests against the summit are taking place in both the Turkish capital and Istanbul. Crews are working intensively to beautify the city, with particular attention to the road leading to the airport, ahead of the arrival of the 32 heads of state and government.
Media infrastructure
Around 3,000 journalists are expected to cover the summit. Under the coordination of the Communications Directorate, state broadcaster TRT will provide television coverage from 26 points using 96 cameras and 18 outside broadcast vehicles. The Presidential National Library will serve as the international press centre, offering 1,800 workstations, 40 editing rooms and more than 100 live broadcast points. A further 5,000 outdoor information and display points will operate across Ankara.
