Mounted police units intensify patrols around Ankara Castle as security measures are stepped up ahead of the NATO Summit, in Ankara, Turkiye on July 03, 2026.(AA Photo)
Ankara, July 4 (BV) – Türkiye has intensified security and transport measures in Ankara ahead of next week’s NATO leaders’ summit, transforming the capital into one of the most heavily secured cities in Europe.
The 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for July 7-8, will bring together leaders from NATO member states and partner countries amid heightened geopolitical tensions and growing security concerns.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said the scale of the event required unprecedented coordination among security, transport and government institutions.
“We aim to complete the NATO Leaders’ Summit safely and without incident as a result of the measures we have taken,” Çiftçi said in a statement released by the Interior Ministry.
Security and traffic restrictions will be enforced around the Presidential Complex, the ATO Congresium conference center, hotels hosting foreign delegations, airports and major transportation routes across the capital.
According to official figures, a total of 56,288 personnel will be deployed during the summit, including 48,841 police officers and 7,447 members of the gendarmerie.
Authorities have also strengthened cybersecurity operations, assigning an additional 639 specialists to conduct round-the-clock monitoring against potential cyber threats.
Temporary air traffic restrictions will be imposed at Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport under a special NOTAM issued for the summit. Restrictions will apply on July 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on July 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., while aircraft carrying foreign heads of state and official delegations will remain exempt.
Several roads surrounding summit venues and delegation hotels will also be temporarily closed, although pedestrian access will remain open.
Turkish authorities said security measures have been prepared not only for Ankara but also for neighboring provinces, underscoring the strategic importance of a summit expected to focus on NATO’s future security architecture, defense spending and regional stability.