President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with President Emmanuel Macron of France on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara.
The leaders discussed Türkiye-France bilateral relations as well as regional and global matters.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the time had come for Türkiye and France to set higher bilateral trade targets and that Türkiye would continue its efforts to advance cooperation in all areas further.
President Erdoğan underlined that, as NATO allies, strengthening the European pillar of the Alliance is important for preserving the “transatlantic bond”.
President Erdoğan noted that this can be achieved without eroding allied ties or causing unnecessary duplication, and stated that Türkiye would support the European Union’s defence initiatives based on these parameters.
On Iran, expressing Türkiye’s hope that the Islamabad Agreement would help establish peace in the region, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye remains optimistic but cautious and stressed the need to act carefully in the face of provocations.
President Erdoğan also noted that Türkiye continues its efforts to bring an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that steps are being taken to revive the diplomatic process.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan conveyed his get-well wishes to French President Macron following the bomb attack that took place near the hotel where he was staying in Damascus.
Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron of France addressed the press following the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit hosted in Ankara.
Describing France as a strong example in terms of defence spending, President Macron said that, through legislation enacted in recent years, France had doubled the budget of its armed forces over the past decade.
President Macron stated that France was playing a leading role in numerous NATO missions and maintaining its military presence on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank, adding that France would also participate in NATO operations to be conducted in Finland.
Noting that France was taking part in military operations aimed at ensuring the security of European territory and that France was meeting 80 per cent of the naval capability requirements arising from the United States’ restructuring of its military posture on the continent, President Macron underlined that Europeans were developing their own defence solutions.
“The (NATO) Alliance is an alliance of peace and balance”
Pointing to France’s contribution to strengthening Europe’s capabilities through its Rafale fighter aircraft and the SAMP/T air and missile defence system, President Macron stressed that he supported a Europe that defended its sovereignty and strategic autonomy within NATO.
“The (NATO) Alliance is an alliance of peace and balance. It exists for the peace of the European continent. That is precisely what we are defending with regard to Ukraine and the Middle East,” President Macron said, adding that they had reaffirmed their commitments on Ukraine during the NATO Summit.
Announcing that the Coalition of the Willing would reconvene in Paris on 13 July, President Macron said that the meeting, to be attended by coalition countries, would provide an opportunity to combat Russia’s shadow fleet, launch new capability initiatives, mobilise the defence industry in support of Ukraine, and plan joint operations.
President Macron also said that the countries participating in the meeting would be invited to the military parade to be held in Paris on the occasion of France’s National Day on 14 July, stressing the importance of Allies speaking with one voice on Ukraine and the Middle East.
Regarding the exchanges of attacks between Iran and the United States in the Middle East, President Macron said, “Yes, I believe that Iran’s attacks and the violation of the (ceasefire) agreement led to the American response.”
Stating that Iran had “made a mistake” by carrying out attacks in violation of the agreement, President Macron nevertheless said that they were still within the envisaged 60-day timeframe for finalising the agreement and that he believed negotiations between the United States and Iran would continue accordingly.
President Macron also stated that the Allies shared a common position on ensuring the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without any transit fees, the withdrawal of Hezbollah, and the establishment of peace and stability in Lebanon.
“I was very pleased with this meeting”
President Macron further stated that the mission aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could be activated if necessary, including for mine-clearing operations, and that France would consider redeploying military forces to the region should the situation on the ground deteriorate, while noting that this was not currently the case.
Regarding his bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Macron said:
“We discussed everything. We discussed the economy, defence, education, and other issues affecting our citizens. Some matters are truly encouraging, and others need improvement. The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere. I was very pleased with this meeting.”
President Macron also stated that they had discussed regional issues in the Middle East as well as Ukraine. Responding to a journalist’s question regarding the possible sale to Türkiye of the SAMP/T air and missile defence system jointly developed by France and Italy, he said that technical work on the matter was ongoing.
