NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul Calls for Stronger Defense Investment Ahead of Leaders' Summit

The NATO parliamentary summit commenced in Istanbul, with alliance officials advocating for increased defense investment in anticipation of next week's NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. Discussions focused on security issues, with NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Marcos Perestrello emphasizing the crucial role of national parliaments in supporting defense investment and implementing alliance security priorities. NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska stated that the upcoming Ankara summit will demonstrate the alliance's collective defense readiness and resolve, with an expectation for all allies to present concrete plans to reach the 5% defense spending target by 2035.