Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in The Hague, where the two leaders held talks focused on deepening bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional and global issues.

During the meeting, President Erdoğan emphasized the vast potential for enhanced cooperation between Türkiye and the United States, particularly in the fields of energy and investment. He highlighted the defense industry as a key area for collaboration, suggesting that greater partnership in this sector could help both nations achieve their shared goal of reaching a $100 billion bilateral trade volume.

The two presidents also addressed recent developments in the Middle East, including a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, which was welcomed by Erdoğan. He praised President Trump’s role in facilitating the agreement and expressed hope that the truce would be lasting and contribute to broader regional stability.

Erdoğan also underscored the urgent need for continued diplomatic engagement to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

As leaders of two of NATO’s most prominent member states, Erdoğan and Trump reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Alliance’s deterrent capabilities and maintaining transatlantic security.

The meeting reflected a mutual desire to enhance cooperation and maintain open lines of communication on key international challenges. (ILKHA)