The genie is out of the bottle: Turkey will join the new European security system 'after NATO'.


Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed his country's readiness to become part of a new European security architecture, should NATO cease to exist due to the policies of the Trump administration.
In a rare interview with the Financial Times, the diplomat described the actions of the U.S. president as a 'disturbing signal' that should prompt European countries to bolster their security.
'The genie is out of the bottle and there is no way to put it back', said Fidan about the transformation of European security, adding: 'Even if President Trump decides not to withdraw from Europe now, it is quite possible that in the future someone with similar views might consider reducing the American contribution to European security.'
Last weekend, Fidan was in London with European colleagues to discuss a joint response to Trump's attempts to force Ukraine into a ceasefire with Russia and his threats to disengage from European security.
Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO after the U.S., finds itself in a complex position, trying to balance its relationships with Russia and allies in the Alliance. Fidan, a former head of Turkish intelligence, plays a key role in shaping Ankara's strategy in this geopolitical balancing act.
This is a signal for unity and the creation of our own center of gravity, Fidan noted, commenting on the need for European countries to enhance their autonomy on security issues.
Tension in relations between Ankara and Washington has escalated due to U.S. support for Kurdish forces in Syria, whom Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Fidan expressed hope that a new regional coalition could take responsibility for fighting ISIS, even if the U.S. withdraws its troops from the region.
'As neighbors of Syria, we can create our own regional platform and fight ISIS, even if the U.S. decides to withdraw its troops,' the minister noted.
Experts emphasize that Fidan's position reflects Turkey's overall strategy to strengthen its role as a regional power capable of acting independently of traditional alliances, especially amid uncertainty about the future of NATO under Trump.
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