Ankara (Anadolu)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conducted an intensive diplomatic effort on the sidelines of the 36th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), hosted by Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Among those Erdogan met with were US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The summit witnessed intense diplomatic activity by President Erdogan, who received Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on Monday, confirming that Turkish-Bulgarian relations are developing on various levels.

On the same day, Erdogan met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing the importance of the Ankara summit addressing issues related to collective defense and strengthening cooperation in defense industries among allies.

On the first day of the summit, Tuesday, Erdogan received Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, security, defense industries, and energy.

He emphasized that Turkey supports strengthening the European pillar within NATO, but not as a substitute for the transatlantic bond.

He also met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, expressing satisfaction with the growing trade relations between the two countries.

He stressed the importance of demonstrating the alliance's cohesion during the Ankara summit and the need not to overlook Turkey's potential contribution to European security strategy.

** Official reception for the US President

Erdogan welcomed US President Donald Trump at Ankara Airport on his first official visit to Turkey, before holding an official reception ceremony at the Presidential Complex.

In response to a question about F-35 fighter jets and the Turkish aircraft engine 'KAAN', Erdogan confirmed that the F-35 issue is not new, and that the United States had previously pledged to deliver 5 jets to Turkey.

Following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders chaired a meeting between the delegations of the two countries.

In the evening, Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan hosted a dinner and reception in honor of the participating leaders and their spouses. Guests were welcomed with performances by the Mehter military band, a group photo of the leaders was taken, and they were served dishes from Turkish cuisine.

** Bilateral meetings with leaders of countries

On the second day, Erdogan welcomed the leaders as they arrived at the Presidential Complex, then the official group photo was taken, with him flanked by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on his right and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on his left.

Following the main session, Erdogan met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, stressing that the time has come to raise the trade exchange targets between the two countries and enhance cooperation in various fields.

He then received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing the importance of developing cooperation in defense industries, investment, energy, and trade.

In his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Erdogan stated that expanding cooperation in defense industries and trade serves the interests of both countries, and called for caution against any steps or provocations that could hinder understanding between Iran and the United States.

** Signing of a security partnership document with Britain

Erdogan also met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue and close cooperation between the two countries and announced the signing of the Security and Defense Partnership Document between Turkey and the UK.

The document affirms the two countries' commitment to collective defense and to the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty.

** Meeting with the Syrian president

Erdogan received Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, affirming that Turkey will continue to develop cooperation with Syria and stand by the Syrian people, and that keeping Syria away from regional conflicts is a prerequisite for its reconstruction.

** Working lunch with EU officials

After the closing press conference, Erdogan held a working lunch with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

He noted that Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership for years and has become an important production center in Europe.

He pointed out that economic integration between the two sides enhances the continent's competitiveness, and that it is natural for any new European trade and investment arrangements to also include Turkey.

After the conclusion of the summit, Erdogan held separate meetings on Thursday with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.