Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, following a request from the French side, according to a statement released by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications.
The leaders discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and France, the Russia-Ukraine peace process, the situation in Gaza, and a number of regional and global developments.
President Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey continues its efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine through a just peace, adding that Ankara is closely following recent meetings in Alaska and Washington. He reiterated Turkey’s readiness to host and facilitate any initiatives that could support negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
On Gaza, Erdoğan underlined Turkey’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire amid what he described as a major humanitarian catastrophe. He stressed that Israel’s acceleration of plans to occupy Gaza must be curbed, warning that such actions pose a broader threat to global security.
The two leaders agreed to further address issues discussed during the recent UN General Assembly meetings in New York. Erdoğan also expressed Turkey’s commitment to advancing cooperation with France, particularly in the field of defense industries, highlighting Ankara’s determination to strengthen ties across multiple sectors.
In a statement shared on his social media account, Erdoğan noted:
“From the Russia-Ukraine peace process to the latest developments in Gaza, we held extensive consultations on many topics both on the agenda and in the context of our bilateral relations. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza was undoubtedly one of the most critical issues of our talks. I pointed to the significance of France’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine and reiterated that Israel’s actions in Gaza threaten global security. My valued friend President Macron and I agreed to enhance cooperation between Turkey and France, particularly in defense. I hope our talks will be beneficial for both our countries.”
