Erdoğan advocates for stronger U.S.-Turkey defense ties in New York

During an event in New York marking the centenary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the United States, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation. Addressing the attendees, Erdoğan lauded his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, describing him as a valued friend and highlighting their close, sincere dialogue as a key driver for diplomatic and political progress.

The Turkish leader specifically identified the need to resolve existing barriers in defense cooperation as a primary objective. He emphasized that the alliance has been reinvigorated following Trump's visit to Ankara in July and their previous meeting in Washington last year. According to Erdoğan, these high-level interactions have provided new momentum to the strategic partnership, paving the way for advancements in trade and security as the two nations enter their second century of diplomatic ties.

While the President spoke optimistically about the progress made in all areas of the bilateral relationship, he acknowledged that ongoing efforts are required to overcome specific obstacles in defense. The statement underscores Ankara's focus on normalizing and strengthening ties with Washington through personal diplomacy between the two leaders.