President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders, including President Donald Trump of the United States, President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Alexander Stubb of Finland, President Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.
President Erdoğan conducted an intensive programme of diplomatic engagements during the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, hosted by Türkiye at the Presidential Complex.
On 6 July, President Erdoğan received Prime Minister Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and stated that Türkiye-Bulgaria relations were advancing in a multidimensional manner, adding that efforts were underway to enhance cooperation across many areas, particularly trade, transport, the defence industry, and energy.
President Erdoğan noted that the Turkish community in Bulgaria served as a strong bond between the two countries and expressed his satisfaction with Bulgaria's sensitivity toward this matter.
Later the same day, President Erdoğan met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and underscored the importance of addressing a wide range of issues at the Ankara Summit, from collective defence to strengthening defence industrial cooperation among Allies.
On the first day of the Summit, President Erdoğan received Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada at the Presidential Complex and stated that stepping up efforts to advance Türkiye-Canada relations across a wide range of areas, particularly trade, security, the defence industry and energy, and harnessing the potential for cooperation would benefit both countries.
President Erdoğan reiterated that Türkiye supports strengthening NATO’s European pillar, while stressing that this cannot replace the "Transatlantic bond". He also underlined that non-EU Allies should be involved in the EU’s defence initiatives.
Later the same day, President Erdoğan also met with President Alexander Stubb of Finland and expressed his satisfaction with the growing momentum in trade relations between Türkiye and Finland, noting that they would continue to work to further advance cooperation.
Drawing attention to the importance of strongly demonstrating Alliance solidarity at NATO’s Ankara Summit, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye’s potential contribution to the EU Security Strategy should not be overlooked and that the EU’s efforts to ensure stability and security in Europe should complement NATO.
President Erdoğan also stressed that Türkiye continues its efforts for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine through dialogue. He further reaffirmed Türkiye’s efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.
Official welcome ceremony held for US President Trump
President Erdoğan welcomed US President Donald Trump, who was paying his first official visit to Türkiye, at Ankara Airport before receiving him with an "A+" official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex.
Responding to questions from journalists prior to their tête-à-tête meeting, President Erdoğan underscored the significance of the visit.
"The fact that the NATO Leaders’ Summit is being held in Ankara today, bringing together all Allied leaders in our country, and that tomorrow we will be together with my dear friend President Trump, gives us added strength. I would like to once again extend my warm welcome to him," said President Erdoğan.
Asked about the delivery of the F-35 fighter aircraft and engines for the KAAN national combat aircraft, President Erdoğan said, "The F-35 issue is not a new one for us. We have discussed it with the United States on previous occasions. We have already received a commitment regarding the five aircraft. President Trump has also given us his personal assurance on this matter. During our discussions at the Leaders’ Summit, I believe we will reaffirm the positive commitments made previously regarding the F-35 programme.
President Trump has always stood by his word. I therefore believe that this Leaders’ Summit will produce a favourable outcome on the F-35 issue."
The two leaders subsequently chaired a meeting between their respective delegations. President Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan later hosted a dinner and reception in honour of the leaders and their spouses attending the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit.
Upon their arrival at the Presidential Complex, the visiting leaders were welcomed by the marches performed by the Mehter band of the Ministry of National Defence.
Before the dinner, President Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan posed for a family photograph with their guests and hosted them with a selection of traditional Turkish cuisine.
Meeting of the Heads of State and Government held
On the second day of the Summit, President Erdoğan welcomed the leaders as they arrived at the Presidential Complex for the main session, greeting each of them individually and posing for photographs before the official family photograph was taken.
In the family photograph, President Erdoğan stood between Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania on his right and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on his left.
The leaders then proceeded to the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government. President Erdoğan entered the meeting hall while conversing with Prime Minister Rama. Prior to the session, President Erdoğan; Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan; and Director of the National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) İbrahim Kalın held a brief informal conversation with US President Trump.
Following the meeting, President Erdoğan met with President Emmanuel Macron of France. During their meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the time had come for Türkiye and France to raise their bilateral trade ambitions and reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen cooperation across all fields.
President Erdoğan stated that they hoped the Islamabad Memorandum on Iran would bring peace to the region, noting that Türkiye remained optimistic but cautious and that care must be taken to avoid provocation.
Following his meeting with Macron, President Erdoğan received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and emphasised the importance of working to develop cooperation between Türkiye and Italy across a number of areas, particularly the defence industry, investment, energy, and trade.
President Erdoğan, who also met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stated that advancing cooperation between Türkiye and Germany in many areas, particularly the defence industry and trade, would be in the interests of both countries.
President Erdoğan emphasised the need to be vigilant against any actions or provocations that might derail the memorandum between Iran and the US, and stressed that Türkiye would continue to work towards lasting peace.
Security and Defence Partnership Document Signed with the United Kingdom
President Erdoğan, who met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stated that cooperation and close dialogue between Türkiye and the United Kingdom were of great importance and that they would continue to develop relations between the two countries through steps to be taken in the coming period.
During the meeting, the leaders signed the Security and Defence Partnership Document between Türkiye and the United Kingdom. The Instrument reaffirms Türkiye and the UK's deep commitment to each other’s defence and to the North Atlantic Treaty.
President Erdoğan also met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that efforts to strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and Syria would intensify further and that Türkiye would continue to stand by the Syrian people. President Erdoğan stated that it was vital for Syria to remain outside the conflicts in the region in order for the country to get back on its feet.
President Erdoğan answered questions from members of the domestic and international press at a press conference held following his meetings.
Following the meeting, President Erdoğan also met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over a working dinner.
President Erdoğan, drawing attention to the fact that Türkiye has been a candidate for EU membership for many years and is a member of the Customs Union and that it has become a major centre of production in Europe thanks to the steps taken, stated that the integrated structure of economies enhances Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage and that it is only natural to expect the EU’s planned regulations on trade and investment to also cover Türkiye.
President Erdoğan also met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić of Montenegro, President Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia and Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, who were in Ankara for the NATO Leaders' Summit, at the Presidential Complex.