President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was in New York for the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly, conducted an intensive diplomatic schedule at Türkevi. Erdoğan held a series of meetings throughout the day with leaders and heads of government from various countries, discussing a broad agenda ranging from bilateral relations and the defense industry to energy, trade and regional crises.
One of the main venues for President Erdoğan’s meetings in New York was Türkevi, located directly across from the United Nations Headquarters. Erdoğan met there with Vietnamese President To Lam, President of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Erdoğan also received physician and biotechnology entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong.
Strategic partnership and defense industry on agenda with Vietnam
During his meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam, President Erdoğan discussed Türkiye-Vietnam relations as well as regional and global developments. Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with Vietnam’s positive response to Türkiye’s proposal to elevate relations between the two countries to the level of a “Strategic Partnership,” and said work was continuing to expand cooperation in investment, trade and particularly the defense industry.
Erdoğan also stressed the importance of Türkiye and Vietnam continuing to act together on international platforms. Congratulating To Lam on his election as Vietnam’s president, Erdoğan invited the Vietnamese leader to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Türkiye.
Energy, defense and mining cooperation with Libya
Another of Erdoğan’s meetings at Türkevi was with Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, president of Libya’s Presidential Council. The meeting addressed Türkiye-Libya relations, as well as Libya’s political process and regional developments.
President Erdoğan said Türkiye was continuing its efforts to preserve stability in Libya, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the political process based on dialogue and consensus. Erdoğan said Türkiye would not accept any formula contrary to Libya’s interests and added that work was continuing to increase cooperation in energy, defense and mining. Erdoğan also invited Menfi to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Antalya.
Regional developments dominate Erdoğan’s meeting with Kuwait
President Erdoğan also met with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at Türkevi. The meeting addressed Türkiye-Kuwait relations as well as regional and global developments.
Erdoğan said Türkiye and Kuwait were working to develop cooperation in many areas, particularly trade and energy. Referring to the conflict in the region, Erdoğan said Türkiye stood with regional countries such as Kuwait. Erdoğan said Israel’s attacks in the region must be prevented and stressed the importance of supporting international efforts toward that end.
Trade, security and defense cooperation with Kosovo
Erdoğan later received Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The meeting addressed Türkiye-Kosovo bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments.
President Erdoğan said work would continue to bring trade between the two countries to a level matching its existing potential. Erdoğan said cooperation in security and the defense industry would also be advanced, adding that Türkiye would continue supporting Kosovo’s efforts to achieve the position it deserves in the international community.
Erdoğan said Türkiye supported dialogue among the Balkan countries and invited Kurti to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Türkiye.
Erdoğan conveys support for Lebanon
Lebanon was another stop in President Erdoğan’s diplomatic schedule. During his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Erdoğan discussed Türkiye-Lebanon relations and developments in the region.
Erdoğan said Türkiye was working to establish lasting peace and stability in Lebanon, adding that an international initiative was needed to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Emphasizing that Türkiye would continue to stand by the Lebanese people during difficult times, Erdoğan said humanitarian aid and medical support to the country would continue. Erdoğan also invited Lebanese Prime Minister Salam to the COP31 Leaders’ Summit.
Trade and regional cooperation with Georgia
During his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Erdoğan discussed trade, transportation and security relations between the two countries.
Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction that Türkiye had been Georgia’s largest trading partner for 18 years, saying work would continue on steps to advance relations in various areas, particularly trade, transportation and security.
President Erdoğan also stressed that more effective use of trilateral cooperation mechanisms among Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan would benefit all three countries.
Erdoğan receives Patrick Soon-Shiong at Türkevi
As part of his meetings in New York, President Erdoğan also received physician, biotechnology entrepreneur and businessperson Patrick Soon-Shiong at Türkevi. The meeting was held behind closed doors.
During Erdoğan’s intensive series of meetings at Türkevi, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, National Intelligence Organization Director İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran and other senior officials accompanied President Erdoğan at various meetings.
President Erdoğan’s meetings in New York are continuing with programs and talks to be held as part of the 81st UN General Assembly.
