Hispano-Turkish Relations in Security and Defense: Realities of a Strategic Partnership

Bilateral relations in security and defense between Turkey and Spain have gained increasing relevance within the context of global and regional security dynamics over the past decades. Both nations, historically established as powers on opposite shores of the Mediterranean Sea, share a series of strategic interests that have intensified as common challenges have emerged, such as terrorism, instability in the broader Mediterranean, and the impact of migration crises. It is therefore unsurprising that cooperation between these two countries in the fields of security and defense has significantly evolved over the last two decades through bilateral agreements and increasing convergence in multilateral forums. In these forums, Spain and Turkey have sought to strengthen their response capabilities to various threats and other issues of shared interest.

This article examines the historical trajectory and current state of security and defense cooperation between Turkey and Spain across two main dimensions: the bilateral relations established between both nations and their convergence within international organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), among others. This work, fundamentally exploratory in nature, seeks to identify the main historical milestones in Hispano-Turkish relations concerning security and defense, determining their current state and potential. In a strategic environment marked by uncertainty stemming from notable transformations in the global power architecture currently underway, this partnership stands out as a key component for Mediterranean regional stability and security, particularly in what is recognized as NATO’s Southern Flank (NATO, 2024).