Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever was surprised to discover that among the gifts he received from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the NATO summit held in Ankara was a fully functional pistol along with its ammunition.
The gift was given in the usual manner, like other gifts presented to leaders who attended the summit. However, De Wever and those accompanying him did not know what was inside the package they received from the Turkish President until they arrived at Melsbroek Airport in Belgium on Wednesday evening.
After they had already arrived back in the country, they began seeing reports in international media stating that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also received a similar gift — a pistol engraved with his name, accompanied by ammunition. The reports suggested that all NATO leaders who attended the summit may have received the same type of gift.
The gifts given to those accompanying De Wever were packed onto a military aircraft without them knowing what was inside. It was only after arriving at Melsbroek that they opened the wrapped packages and discovered that they contained small revolver-type pistols.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that the pistol was immediately handed over to the airport security police, who placed it in a special storage facility. It is not yet known what will happen to it next.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer chose to leave the gift in Turkey because UK firearms laws did not allow him to carry it onto the aircraft for his return journey.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also confirmed that he received a similar gift
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, together with Prime Minister De Wever and Turkish President Erdoğan
