What is happening today at the NATO Summit? Here is the hour-by-hour schedule

The second-day program of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, is beginning. The main session of the summit, which Turkey is hosting after a 22-year hiatus, will be held at the Palace today.

As part of the program, an official welcoming ceremony will be held by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and President Erdoğan. Following the leaders' gathering for the family photo at 11:00, the main meeting at the leaders' level is scheduled to begin at 11:15.

NATO Secretary General Rutte is expected to hold a press conference at 15:00. Following Rutte's statements, the leaders participating in the summit are also expected to hold separate press conferences.

The Ankara summit, expected to be one of the most comprehensive meetings in NATO history, includes heads of state and government from 32 member countries, as well as invited leaders, nearly 100 ministers, numerous diplomats, and representatives of international organizations.

DEFENSE BURDEN AND TRANSATLANTIC TENSION ON THE AGENDA

At the summit, leaders are expected to discuss the progress made in defense spending targets, the increase in defense industry production, and how the defense burden within the alliance will be shared.

The meetings are being held in the shadow of US President Donald Trump's pressure on European countries to increase their defense spending and the tensions experienced in transatlantic relations in recent months. The Trump administration wants Europe to invest more in defense and take on more primary responsibility for the continent's defense.

The US statements regarding a review of its military presence in Europe and Washington's criticisms regarding burden-sharing within the alliance are among the prominent topics of the summit. The Iran war and Greenland discussions are also among the issues expected to be reflected in the leaders' contacts.

FORUM AND BILATERAL CONTACTS STOOD OUT ON THE FIRST DAY

The first day of the summit began with the Defense Industry Forum. While NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered the opening speech of the forum, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler also spoke at the forum.

President Erdoğan's bilateral contacts continued throughout the day. US President Donald Trump also arrived in Ankara for the NATO Summit. Erdoğan welcomed Trump at the airport; the two leaders later made statements at the Palace.

As part of the first-day program, a reception and dinner were also held for the heads of state and government and their spouses, hosted by President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan. On the second day of the summit, the main session at the leaders' level and press conferences will be followed.

News Source: 12punto