Rutte arrives in Istanbul for meeting with Erdogan

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is completing his term in office and is considered a key candidate for the next NATO Secretary General, arrived in Istanbul to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the latter's invitation.

This was reported by NOS.

Rutte's visit is non-standard in many ways - he arrived not on a government plane but on a regular flight, practically unaccompanied, and the meeting is scheduled for Istanbul, not Ankara, where key government agencies are located. In Istanbul, however, he will be accompanied by the Dutch ambassador.

The main topic of Rutte's trip is believed to be talks with Erdogan about his support as a candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General. It is known that Erdogan may oppose Rutte's appointment.

Among the countries whose position still calls Rutte's appointment into question are Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. Romania's current president, Klaus Iohannis, is running for the post.

Author - Olena Madiak, 26/04/2024