Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands visited Turkey on Friday in an attempt to gain support from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his candidacy for the position of NATO Secretary-General.
Rutte's visit comes as NATO members finalize their search for a successor to Jens Stoltenberg, who has served as the alliance's top civilian official since 2014 and is nearing the end of his term.
Turkey and Hungary have expressed reservations about Rutte's candidacy, but he has sought to address their concerns during his visit. In a joint news conference with Erdogan, Rutte stressed the importance of Turkey's role within NATO.
"The southern wing of NATO needs Turkey and its leadership," Rutte said. "Ankara is a very influential actor in the region and a geopolitical power."
Erdogan did not commit to supporting Rutte's candidacy, but he did not rule it out either.
"No one should have any doubt that we will make our decision within the framework of strategic wisdom and equity," Erdogan said.
He added that an ideal candidate for the post of NATO chief should "ensure solidarity within the alliance and order among the allies" and also "prioritize the preservation of NATO’s essential position in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security."
Despite Erdogan's noncommittal stance, he did wish Rutte success and smiled at him at the end of the news conference, which was also met with smiles from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
NATO officials and envoys are keen to wrap up the nomination process before the end of April, ahead of the June 6-9 European Union elections. They also want to avoid having the potentially divisive issue mar the alliance's 75th anniversary summit in Washington in July.
NATO chiefs are responsible for chairing meetings and guiding sometimes delicate consultations among member countries. They are also tasked with speaking on behalf of all member nations with one voice.
Rutte's candidacy has been met with mixed reactions. Some NATO members have praised his experience and leadership, while others have expressed concerns about his handling of certain issues during his time as Dutch Prime Minister.
Should Rutte secure the position of NATO Secretary-General, he would become the first Dutch politician to hold the post. He would also be the first NATO chief from outside the traditional Western European powerhouses of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Rutte's visit to Turkey is part of his ongoing campaign to secure support for his NATO bid. He has also visited other NATO member countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The outcome of the NATO Secretary-General race remains uncertain, but Rutte's visit to Turkey has been seen as a significant step in his campaign.
