Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasized that Israel's actions must end to achieve peace in the Middle East. He stated that Trkiye would continue to advocate for stronger regional cooperation, enhanced defense capabilities, and renewed diplomatic engagement with NATO allies and the European Union to stabilize the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan made these remarks during a conversation with reporters on his return flight from Kazakhstan. He stressed that Israel's actions are a primary factor in the ongoing regional crisis and warned that Tel Aviv aims to extend the conflict across the Middle East for its own objectives. Erdogan emphasized Trkiye's commitment to preventing the current unrest from escalating and highlighted the importance of regional countries resolving these issues themselves.
Erdogan also underlined the necessity for all parties in the region to prioritize long-term peace over short-term gains. He reiterated that for lasting stability, countries need to focus on their citizens' rights rather than external interests. The president highlighted that an end to escalating actions and short-sighted political maneuvers is essential for enduring peace in the Middle East.
In terms of regional cooperation, Erdogan mentioned that Trkiye and Kazakhstan have strengthened their bilateral ties through a new Declaration on Eternal Friendship and Expanded Strategic Partnership. This was achieved during his visit to Astana and Turkistan, where he engaged in comprehensive discussions with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on various issues.
Erdogan highlighted the economic relationship between the two countries, noting significant Turkish investments in Kazakhstan. He also mentioned the aim to increase bilateral trade and the importance of energy cooperation, specifically through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Erdogan attended the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Turkistan, where leaders signed the Turkistan Declaration to enhance cooperation through digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Erdogan stressed the importance of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's participation in the Organization of Turkic States, describing it as an inseparable part of the Turkic world. He also mentioned Turkey's upcoming chairmanship of the organization and expressed a commitment to strengthening it.
Looking ahead to the NATO summit in Ankara, Erdogan anticipated critical decisions regarding the alliance's future and global security architecture. He emphasized the need for fair burden-sharing and sincere cooperation within NATO.
On the European Union front, Erdogan reaffirmed Trkiye's commitment to EU membership despite facing inconsistent policies. He described Trkiye as an opportunity for the EU and called for a careful assessment of the situation. Erdogan also addressed defense ties with the US, mentioning ongoing talks over the F-35 fighter jet program and highlighting Trkiye's progress in its defense industry, particularly with the development of the KAAN fighter jet.
Erdogan pointed out the international attention Trkiye's defense industry has garnered, as demonstrated at the SAHA 2026 defense fair in Istanbul, which saw significant business activity and product introductions.