Senior Allied Officials meet in Istanbul to boost NATO’s efforts to address Security Challenges in the Southern Neighbourhood

The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, convened a meeting of senior Allied officials on the Southern Neighbourhood, on 18 February 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. Organised in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting featured the participation of Türkiye's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Z. Levent Gümrükçü.

"Our gathering in Istanbul is a step forward in NATO's commitment to stronger, more proactive, and results-driven engagement with our Southern partners," Mr. Colomina said. "Since the adoption of the Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan at the Washington Summit in 2024, NATO has made significant strides in deepening political dialogue and expanding practical cooperation across the region. The Southern Neighbourhood remains a cornerstone of NATO's 360-degree approach to security," he added.

During the meeting, officials assessed the latest developments in the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions, and the implications for Allied security. Discussions focused on the evolving dynamics shaping the regional security environment, in particular terrorism and the influence of geostrategic competitors.

Officials agreed on the need to continue to work with partners in the region to strengthen their capabilities to more effectively address shared challenges and increase our security.