Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders during the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, hosted by Trkiye at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan met leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as part of the summit diplomacy. Ahead of the summit, Erdogan received Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on July 6 and emphasized that Trkiye-Bulgaria relations were advancing in a multidimensional way, with efforts continuing to improve cooperation in areas including trade, transport, defense industry, and energy.
He also met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the same day, stating the importance of the Ankara summit addressing issues ranging from collective defense to expanding defense industry cooperation among allies. On the first day of the summit, Erdogan received Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and highlighted that enhancing Trkiye-Canada ties in trade, security, defense industry, and energy would benefit both countries.
Erdogan also met Finnish President Stubb, expressing satisfaction with the growing momentum in bilateral trade and ongoing efforts to advance cooperation. He advocated for strengthening NATO's European pillar while stressing that this could not replace the transatlantic bond and emphasized the inclusion of non-EU NATO allies in EU defense initiatives.
Erdogan reiterated Trkiye's commitment to a dialogue-based resolution for the conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine and continued efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and uninterrupted humanitarian aid access to the enclave.
US President Trump, who made his first official visit to Trkiye, was welcomed by President Erdogan at the newly opened Ankara Airport before being received at the Presidential Complex with an 'A+ type' official ceremony. Speaking before their one-on-one meeting, Erdogan remarked that the NATO summit in Ankara, with all leaders gathering in Trkiye, added 'separate strength' to the occasion.
Addressing the F-35 program and delivery of engines for Trkiye's KAAN fighter jet, Erdogan noted that the F-35 issue was 'not new' for Trkiye and had previously been discussed with the US. He mentioned receiving a promise for five aircraft and expressed optimism about a favorable decision coming out of the summit.
The two leaders later chaired talks between their delegations. Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan also hosted a dinner and reception in honor of the leaders and their spouses attending the summit. Guests were welcomed at the Presidential Complex with performances by the Turkish Defense Ministry's Janissary Band and served dishes from Turkish cuisine after a family photo.
On the second day, Erdogan welcomed leaders arriving at the Presidential Complex for the main session and posed for separate photos before an official family photo was taken. The heads of state and government then proceeded to the main meeting, where Erdogan engaged in discussions with various leaders, including a brief conversation with Trump.
Following the meeting, Erdogan held talks with Macron, emphasizing the need for Trkiye and France to elevate their mutual trade targets and continue cooperating in all areas. On Iran, Erdogan expressed hope that the Islamabad Agreement would bring peace to the region, cautioning against provocations.
Erdogan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, highlighting the importance of developing cooperation between Trkiye and Italy in areas such as defense industry and trade. In discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Erdogan advocated for advancing Trkiye-Germany cooperation, particularly in defense industry and trade, while warning against actions that could undermine peace efforts between Iran and the US.
During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the two leaders signed a Security and Defense Partnership Document, reaffirming strong commitments to each other's defense and the North Atlantic Treaty. Erdogan also met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, stressing the importance of Syria remaining outside regional conflicts for the country's reconstruction.
Following the summit session, Erdogan held a news conference and answered questions from Turkish and international reporters. He later met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a working dinner, underscoring Trkiye's role as an EU candidate and a key player in Europe's economy.
Erdogan also engaged in discussions with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, Slovak President Pellegrini, and Albanian Prime Minister Rama at the Presidential Complex during the summit.