Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications

The Presidency's Directorate of Communications organised the "Allies in Ankara" programme in partnership with the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) as part of the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit).

Presidency's Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran: "I was deeply saddened to hear that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of the State of Qatar, had passed away. The late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was a prominent statesman who significantly influenced Qatar's development, enhanced regional stability, and fostered the enduring friendship and fraternity between Türkiye and Qatar. I pray that Almighty Allah grants his mercy to the deceased, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, particularly to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and to the friendly and brotherly people of Qatar. May he rest in peace."

Presidency's Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran: "The Srebrenica Genocide, etched into human history as one of its darkest chapters, remains a deep wound in our consciences despite the 31 years that have passed.This great tragedy remains vivid in our collective memory as one of the gravest crimes committed against human dignity. With my heartfelt sympathy for the pain and sorrow of our Bosnian brothers and sisters, I commemorate with mercy our brothers and sisters who were massacred in the Srebrenica Genocide. Türkiye will resolutely continue to stand by peace, justice, and human dignity and to be the voice of the oppressed wherever oppression, injustice, and human tragedy occur, from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo, from the Caucasus to the Middle East, and from Gaza to Africa. As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aptly said, 'A fairer world is possible.' With this vision, we will remain committed to our efforts to strengthen the common conscience of humanity and to establish lasting peace."

LIVE: Turkish Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran speaks at July 15th Democracy and National Unity Day 10th Anniversary Commemoration Program “Martyr and Witness" x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of Lebanon at Vahdettin Mansion. The meeting addressed Türkiye-Lebanon bilateral relations as well as regional issues. Stating that Türkiye values its relations with the brotherly country Lebanon, President Erdoğan noted that he believes intensifying diplomatic contacts in this context would be beneficial. Emphasizing that Türkiye continues its diplomatic efforts to ensure Lebanon’s security, President Erdoğan said that we will continue to provide every possible support, including humanitarian assistance, to help establish security, peace, and stability in Lebanon. President Erdoğan stressed that it would be beneficial for our region for Lebanon and Syria to develop good-neighbourly relations. President Erdoğan also stated that we are making every effort to further develop bilateral relations between Türkiye and Lebanon.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s wife Sahar Baassiri.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia at Vahdettin Mansion. The meeting addressed Türkiye-Liberia bilateral relations as well as regional issues. President Erdoğan stated during the meeting that it would be beneficial for us to continue taking steps to evaluate the trade volume potential of the two countries. President Erdoğan emphasized that we would work to strengthen our cooperation with Liberia in areas such as the defence industry, security, education, and transportation. President Erdoğan congratulated President Boakai of Liberia on Liberia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the National Defense University Staff Officers’ Graduation Ceremony. iletisim.gov.tr/english/haberl…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the graduation ceremony of the National Defence University: “Across the lands we hold dear to our hearts, we are healing wounds and taking a leading role in keeping the channels of dialogue open. From the Balkans to the Caucasus, from the Middle East to Africa, we are exploring every possible avenue to help ensure lasting peace and tranquility. We likewise maintain a strong presence in the international alliances of which we are a member. As you know, we successfully hosted the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara two days ago. We addressed the future of the Alliance in Türkiye in light of the evolving security environment. As a country entrusted with NATO’s southeastern flank, we shared our assessments on the current agenda with our Allies. I hope that the Ankara Summit will contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in our region and around the world.”

LIVE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at graduation ceremony of National Defence University in Istanbul x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Presidency's Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran: "I consider the European Parliament's resolution on Cyprus, which contains baseless allegations against our heroic Turkish Armed Forces, to be unacceptable, and condemn it in the strongest possible terms. This politically motivated initiative, which approaches the Cyprus issue from a biased perspective and disregards the legitimate rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people, is null and void. Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye will continue to steadfastly support the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and will remain resolute in defending the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people on every platform. Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces brought peace and security to the island through the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, and Türkiye has since remained the guarantor of the existence and future of the Turkish Cypriot people. No politically motivated resolution can alter this fact or overshadow Türkiye's unwavering commitment to the Cyprus cause."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit hosted by Türkiye at the Presidential Complex. #NATOsummit

Presidency's Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran: “Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will receive Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in İstanbul on 10 July 2026. During the visit, Türkiye–Lebanon bilateral relations will be discussed in all their dimensions.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The meeting addressed Türkiye–Albania bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues. Noting that Türkiye is working to further expand its relations with Albania, President Erdoğan expressed a particular desire to deepen cooperation in the defence industry. President Erdoğan added that the strength of solidarity among the allies was clearly and firmly demonstrated at the NATO Summit held in Ankara. President Erdoğan also invited Prime Minister Rama to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit scheduled to be held in Antalya this November.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The leaders discussed Türkiye–Slovakia bilateral relations, as well as regional and global developments. Stressing the need to boost efforts for achieving the mutual trade and investment targets of Slovakia and Türkiye, President Erdoğan noted that it would be mutually advantageous to capitalise on the cooperative opportunities available to the two countries, notably in transport and energy. Emphasising the importance of strengthening NATO’s European pillar, President Erdoğan stressed that the European Union’s defence initiatives should be complementary to NATO. President Erdoğan also noted that Türkiye strives to bring the wars in Iran and Ukraine to an end through diplomacy, alongside its vigorous endeavours to establish peace and stability in Gaza and put an end to the humanitarian catastrophe.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić of Montenegro on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The meeting addressed Türkiye–Montenegro bilateral relations and regional issues. Voicing his confidence in the continued growth of bilateral relations between the two countries across all domains, President Erdoğan noted that work is underway to further expand cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, tourism, the defence industry, and security. President Erdoğan stated that he is pleased to see the Balkans Peace Platform, spearheaded by Türkiye, serving as a foundation for addressing a broad range of regional issues, including border security, energy, and transportation, and expressed Türkiye's expectation that the platform will contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President of the European Council, António Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during a working dinner on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. During the meeting, Türkiye-European Union relations, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed. Stating that the increasing contacts at all levels were a source of satisfaction, President Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye expects its European Union accession process to be revived. President Erdoğan also expressed the expectation that the relevant mechanisms should be activated and the necessary meetings should be initiated in this regard. President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye has been a candidate country for European Union membership for many years and is a party to the Customs Union. President Erdoğan stated that, thanks to the steps taken, Türkiye has become an important production hub in Europe, and that the integrated structure of Türkiye’s and the EU’s economies strengthens Europe’s global competitiveness. President Erdoğan also emphasised that Türkiye naturally expects the EU’s planned trade and investment regulations to include it. President Erdoğan further stated that Türkiye has taken initiatives to contribute to Europe’s security and that Türkiye expects steps in line with the law and the spirit of the NATO alliance. During the meeting, the diplomatic steps taken by Türkiye to help end the Ukraine-Russia war, the tensions between the United States and Iran, and Israel’s attacks in the region, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the latest developments, were also discussed.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered remarks during the International Press Conference following the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit (#NATOsummit) at the Presidential Complex. iletisim.gov.tr/english/haberl…