President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pursued a busy schedule of high-level bilateral meetings in Doha, where he attended the Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League. The summit, convened in response to escalating regional tensions, brought together heads of state and senior officials from across the Muslim world.
Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
On the sidelines of the summit, President Erdoğan held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Director İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Chief Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and AK Party Deputy Chairman Halit Yerebakan, focused on regional security and the crisis in Palestine.
Erdoğan stressed that Turkey will continue to stand firmly with nations targeted by Israeli aggression.
Talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
President Erdoğan also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The engagement marked another step in the gradual normalization and strengthening of ties between Ankara and Cairo, with discussions centered on regional stability and the urgent need for a coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
In his talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Erdoğan underscored the importance of uninterrupted humanitarian aid access to Palestine and called on the international community to raise its voice more forcefully. He also highlighted the necessity of expanding sanctions on Israel, emphasizing that economic measures would yield tangible results.
Talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani
Erdoğan met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties. The leaders agreed to maintain close cooperation in counterterrorism and discussed strengthening collaboration in multiple sectors, from security to trade.
Meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Shara
In a notable development, President Erdoğan met with Syrian President Ahmed Shara during the summit. He praised Shara’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly as a historic step and emphasized the importance of preserving Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. Erdoğan also underlined the necessity of adherence to the March 10 SDG agreement, calling it essential for stability in Syria’s future.
Engagement with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
President Erdoğan also held a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reiterating Turkey’s solidarity with Qatar and denouncing Israeli attacks as unacceptable. He warned that Israel’s actions were aimed at derailing peace negotiations and reaffirmed Turkey’s readiness to support mediation efforts.
A Summit of Critical Importance
Through these back-to-back meetings, President Erdoğan positioned Turkey as an active mediator and vocal advocate for regional peace. His engagements reflected Ankara’s broader strategy of strengthening partnerships across the Muslim world, addressing humanitarian crises, and advancing dialogue on pressing regional security issues.
The Extraordinary OIC–Arab League Summit in Doha has underscored the urgency of collective action, with Turkey signaling its intent to remain at the forefront of diplomatic initiatives aimed at safeguarding stability, justice, and cooperation in the region.
