Britain’s NATO military representative, Eldon Millar, has described the United Kingdom and Türkiye as the “bookends” of the NATO alliance, underlining Ankara’s strategic significance and growing contribution to regional security.
Speaking to Anadolu during a visit to Ankara ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit scheduled for July 7-8, Millar said Türkiye’s geographic position makes it a crucial link connecting multiple regions of the world.
The British official stressed that NATO allies remain focused on what he called the “imminent and pressing” threat posed by Russia, adding that European nations are increasingly taking greater responsibility for their own defense and security.
Millar pointed to rising defense investments across Europe alongside advances in military technology, command systems and operational capabilities within NATO. He said these developments are strengthening the alliance at a critical time for transatlantic security.
While emphasizing Europe’s expanding role, Millar also reaffirmed that NATO remains fundamentally a transatlantic alliance built on cooperation between North America and European partners.
Highlighting Türkiye’s role within the alliance, he described Ankara as one of NATO’s most important members, noting its strategic bases, military capabilities and active involvement in alliance operations across multiple regions.
Millar said Türkiye has consistently played a central role in NATO missions for more than seven decades and continues to contribute significantly to the alliance’s operational strength.
Referring to cooperation between London and Ankara, he said British and Turkish forces regularly conduct joint training exercises and maintain close coordination during international operations.
The British official also highlighted ongoing defense collaboration under the Türkiye-UK Eurofighter Typhoon project and praised the strong military partnership between the two countries.
During a recent visit to Kosovo, Millar met NATO personnel serving under Turkish command within the Kosovo Force mission, describing the cooperation as a reflection of the enduring relationship between Britain and Türkiye.
As part of his visit to Ankara, Millar paid tribute at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He said the visit highlighted the deep historical ties between Türkiye and the UK and expressed hope for even stronger relations in the future.
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