NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed in Ankara that the next NATO Summit will be hosted by Albania.

"The next summit will be held in Albania. That was the decision taken in The Hague. The summit will take place in Albania, but we still need to determine the exact date," Rutte told reporters during the NATO Summit in Ankara.

Speaking at a press conference, the Secretary General officially announced Albania as the host country for the Alliance's next summit, while noting that the date will be decided at a later stage.

Hosting the summit marks a significant milestone for Albania, which has been a NATO member since 2009. It will be the first time the country hosts a NATO Summit at the highest political level, placing Albania at the center of attention among its Euro-Atlantic partners.

Rutte also highlighted the outcomes of the summit, emphasizing the unity of Allied nations and their commitment to strengthening collective defence. He noted that NATO will continue increasing investments in security and defence, including a €70 billion package.

"Investments of €27 billion are essential for infrastructure and new facilities, leveraging technology to our advantage, fostering innovation, and developing a common defence platform for all Allies. This summit has demonstrated that the Alliance is stronger than ever—united and ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We reaffirm our commitment to collective defence. An attack against one Ally is an attack against all, and we will stand together," Rutte said.

Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that plans for Albania to host the summit remained uncertain. However, Rutte's latest statement removes any doubt, confirming that Albania will host the next NATO Summit.