Ankara, April 24, 2025 – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, along with his delegation, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The meeting focused on a range of regional and global issues, with discussions aimed at strengthening ties between Turkey and the Council of Europe.
Accompanying President Erdoğan during the meeting were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç. Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and engagement with the Council of Europe, underscoring the country’s ongoing cooperation with the organization and other international human rights mechanisms.
During the talks, President Erdoğan expressed concern over the rising tide of racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia across Europe, describing the trend as deeply troubling. He called on the Council of Europe to demonstrate greater sensitivity and take more robust action to address these issues.
Erdoğan also addressed the ongoing crisis in Gaza, condemning Israel’s continued attacks and describing them as massacres. He stressed that the international community, particularly Europe, must raise a strong and unified voice in defense of international law and human rights to counter Israel’s aggression.
The meeting underscored Turkey’s dedication to working collaboratively with the Council of Europe while advocating for decisive action on pressing global challenges, including human rights violations and regional conflicts.
