Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Turkey to support Dutch PM Rutte’s NATO leadership bid

In a joint press conference, Mr Rutte emphasised that NATO’s southern flank needs Turkey and that the country has an important role to play.

• April 29, 2024
Prime Minister Mark Rutte
Mark Rutte [Photo credit: DW]

Turkey will support Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s candidature for the position of NATO secretary general, local media reported on Monday.

Mr Rutte met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Friday.

In a joint press conference, Mr Rutte emphasised that NATO’s southern flank needs Turkey and that the country has an important role to play.

Mr Erdoğan said the next head of NATO should continue current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s work to lift export restrictions on the defence industry between member states.

Mr Rutte needs the approval of all 32 members of the alliance to secure the position. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is also running.

Mr Stoltenberg’s term ends in October.  

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan

Abuja

INEC asks RMAFC for more funds ahead of 2027 elections

INEC has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission for increased funding to strengthen the commission’s operations ahead of the 2027 elections.

States

Hisbah arrests Zamfara woman for witchcraft

The Hisbah Commission in Zamfara arrested a woman, Khadija Abdullahi, accused of witchcraft practices in her residence in the Gadar Baga area of Gusau.

Flooded Lagos road used to illustrate the story

Lagos

Institute says Lagos flood denial worsening crisis, urges urgent action

The institute pointed out that flooding has recurred annually in Lagos since 1968, except in 1973, the Sahelian drought year.

Agriculture

NiMet warns of flooding across Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy and thundery weather across the country from Wednesday to Friday.

Jos court

Jos

Trader sentenced to prison for stealing trousers in hospital

A Jos Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday sentenced a 26-year-old trader, Ahmed Abdullahi, to nine months in prison for stealing a shirt and trousers from a hospital.

Released Oyo hostages

Ibadan

National parks chief hails Tinubu, Makinde for rescue of abducted Oyo students

Ibrahim Goni, the conservator-general of the National Park Service, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in the Oriire council area.