NATO Deputy Secretary General at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum previews the Ankara Summit

On Saturday (18 April 2026), NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska participated in panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on "Securing Europe: Unity and Strategic Renewal towards the NATO Ankara Summit". Ms Shekerinska underscored that in Ankara, Allies will demonstrate progress on the commitments made at the NATO Summit in The Hague Summit last year. The Deputy Secretary General stressed the historic decisions to increase defence investment and accelerate defence production are making NATO stronger. Our security is strongest when it is transatlantic, she said.

The Deputy Secretary General reminded the audience that while European Allies and Canada are increasing their defence investments and taking greater responsibility for their security, acquiring more capabilities and technologies are essential. On industry, Ms Shekerinska highlighted the importance of the Allies working with partners, like Ukraine and those in the Indo-Pacific. On Ukraine, the Deputy Secretary General reaffirmed NATO's unwavering commitment and explained that Allies are increasing their military support and working with Ukraine's defence industry, including through the UNITE-Brave programme.

During her visit to Antalya, the Deputy Secretary General had bilateral meetings with Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Levent Gümrükçü.