Erdoğan holds bilateral talks at NATO summit in US

WASHINGTON

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is engaging in intensive bilateral talks during his visit to the United States for a three-day NATO summit.

The gathering kicked off with a ceremony commemorating the alliance’s 75th anniversary.

Following the opening event, Erdoğan met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at his hotel.

The leaders discussed bilateral relations, Türkiye's accession process to the European Union, and various regional and global issues, according to Erdoğan's office.

The president expressed his expectation for Hungary's support in revitalizing his country's long-stalled bid, especially since Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc earlier this month.

Erdoğan told Orban Türkiye's ongoing efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine and address Israel's attacks on Gaza. He called for increased international efforts to establish peace in these regions.

Erdoğan then participated in the leaders' meeting of the 32-member alliance on July 10. Later in the day, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a dinner at the White House for the leaders and their spouses.

Before the dinner, Erdoğan met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The meeting was anticipated to be routine and positive, reflecting the recent mending of ties between the neighboring countries, media reports said.

The meeting covered bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues.

The president underlined that Türkiye continues its efforts to develop the "spirit of solidarity" with Greece, based on the principle of good neighborliness.

The thaw between the neighbors was initiated during another meeting between Erdoğan and Mitsotakis at a NATO summit in July last year.

The leaders agreed to "open a new page" in bilateral relations, leading to reciprocal visits and the signing of several cooperation agreements.

Another leader that Erdoğan met with was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, with Erdoğan promising continued development and peace efforts to end regional tensions.

Erdoğan also met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and discussed Israel’s onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Erdoğan told Scholz that pressure should be put on Israel to end its attacks on Gaza and not miss the opportunity for a cease-fire.

He added that it is important to increase efforts to prevent conflicts from spreading in the region.

Erdoğan and Scholz also exchanged views on bilateral relations and the Russia-Ukraine war during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the summit.

The president told Scholz that support is expected from Germany to revitalize Türkiye's European Union membership process.

Erdoğan will conclude his visit with a press conference before departing Washington.

According to a declaration issued during the summit on Wednesday, the annual NATO summit will be held in Türkiye in 2026.

Less than a week before the summit, Erdoğan met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as they visited Kazakhstan for a session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Erdoğan engaged in several bilateral meetings in the capital Astana to cover a broad spectrum of topics, from energy and trade to tourism and bilateral, regional, and global issues.

NATO member Türkiye has positioned itself as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine, having facilitated grain shipments through a deal during the conflict.

However, Russia obstructed the agreement last July, citing secondary sanctions on shipping, banking, and insurance, as well as escalating attacks on Ukraine's port infrastructure.