Turkey Issues Commemorative Coin for NATO Summit Hosted in Ankara

Turkey has introduced a special commemorative five-lira coin, valued at approximately 10 euro cents, to celebrate the 36th NATO summit hosted in Ankara this week. The official Anadolu news agency reported on the issuance of the coin by the Directorate General of the Mint and Stamp Printing House.

Initially, 100,000 units of the coin will be minted, with expectations that the total production could reach half a million. This initiative is part of a broader campaign by the Turkish government to present Ankara and the country in the best possible light during the high-profile NATO summit, scheduled for July 7 and 8.

In preparation for the arrival of foreign leaders, the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made significant efforts. A military airbase designated for receiving dignitaries has been prepared, and the facades of buildings along the official route from the airport to the city center have been repainted. Additionally, landscaped areas in Ankara have been renovated as part of a wider beautification drive for the capital.

Concurrently, the government has taken measures to manage public perception and security. More than 200 anti-NATO activists have been detained. Furthermore, dozens of journalists critical of the government have been denied press accreditation to cover the summit.