08.07.2026 18:01
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of the NATO Leaders Summit. Discussions covered Turkey-France bilateral relations, trade goals, strengthening NATO's European pillar, the Islamabad Consensus on Iran, and diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war. Erdoğan also conveyed his condolences to Macron regarding the bomb attack in Damascus.
After the historic summit in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with French President Emmanuel Macron within the scope of the NATO Leaders Summit.
WHICH TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED?
In a statement from the Directorate of Communications, it was said, "Our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in Ankara for the NATO Leaders Summit, at NATO Headquarters. The leaders discussed Türkiye-France bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments. President Erdoğan expressed in the meeting that it is time for Türkiye and France to raise their mutual trade targets, and that we will continue to strive to advance cooperation in all areas."
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
The statement noted that President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of strengthening the European pillar of the alliance as NATO allies to maintain the Transatlantic bond, stating, "We have the opportunity to achieve this without eroding our allied ties and causing unnecessary repetition, and as Türkiye, we will support the European Union's defense initiatives based on these parameters. President Erdoğan expressed that we hope the Islamabad Agreement on Iran will ensure peace in our region, that as Türkiye we are optimistic but cautious, and that provocations should be handled with care. Our President also stated that Türkiye continues its efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war and that we are taking steps to revive the diplomatic process."
BOMB ATTACK IN DAMASCUS ALSO ON THE AGENDA
It was reported that President Erdoğan conveyed his get-well wishes to French President Macron regarding the bomb attack that occurred near the hotel where he was staying in Damascus.