Türkiye Joins NATO

Türkiye entered NATO alongside Greece on 18 February 1952, extending the alliance into southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Two days later, Foreign Minister Mehmet Fuat Köprülü joined the North Atlantic Council in Lisbon for the new members’ welcome. [1]

Ankara had moved toward closer cooperation with Washington through American assistance under the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and participation in the Marshall Plan. Turkish troops then fought with United Nations forces in Korea. [1]

The existing allies gained armed forces, territory, and access to a region bordering the Soviet Union. Turkish leaders sought protection and closer political association with Western states. [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Feridun Cemal Erkin [2]

Related Reading

• Turkey and the United States