REVISES DECK, ADDS TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN'S MEETINGS WITH PALESTINIAN, GEORGIAN PREMIERS
By Serdar Dincel and Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL/ANTALYA, Türkiye (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday separately received multiple high-level officials as part of his contacts at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) 2025 in the Turkish resort city, with Anadolu as the global communication partner.
Erdogan received Chairwoman and Serbian member of Bosnia's Presidential Council Zeljka Cvijanovic, as well as the council's Bosnian member Denis Becirovic and Croatian member Zeljko Komsic.
The meeting focused on the Türkiye-Bosnia and Herzegovina bilateral ties, along with broader regional and global matters, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said on X.
The Turkish president underscored Ankara's commitment to upholding stability in the Balkans and safeguarding Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitutional order.
Stressing the importance of preventing a repeat of past tragedies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Erdogan expressed the expectation that the current crisis in the region would be resolved with minimal harm through an inclusive consensus involving all segments of society.
He also reaffirmed Türkiye's continued support for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the ADF, the Turkish president also received Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and discussed bilateral, regional, and global issues, the directorate noted in a separate post on X.
During the meeting, Erdogan stated that efforts to diversify and deepen cooperation between Türkiye and Bulgaria in many areas, notably in the defense industry and energy, will continue.
Emphasizing the importance of continued solidarity between Ankara and Sofia in fighting terrorism, he added that steps are expected in this regard from Bulgaria in the upcoming period.
Erdogan also met with Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the ADF, the directorate added in another post.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed bilateral ties, along with regional and international developments.
Erdogan noted that efforts are ongoing to strengthen ties with Sierra Leone across various sectors, particularly in the defense industry. He also reaffirmed Türkiye's dedication to continuing its collaboration with African nations based on a "win-win" approach.
The Turkish president also held a closed-door meeting with Sudan's Sovereign Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Türkiye and Sudan, as well as discussing regional and global matters.
Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with the growing partnership between Ankara and Khartoum, and pledged continued support for Sudan's reconstruction and stabilization efforts once the conflicts end.
He also highlighted Türkiye's commitment to safeguarding Sudan's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Erdogan also met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to discuss ties as well as regional and international issues.
Erdogan focused on enhancing relations between Türkiye and Palestine, alongside regional and global concerns.
He highlighted that a two-state solution is the only way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict and reaffirmed Türkiye's efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza, and to work toward lasting peace.
Additionally, he underlined that Ankara would never accept the displacement of Gaza's people and would continue to support the enclave, providing humanitarian assistance.
The Turkish president also held talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and discussed ties and regional and global matters.
Erdogan expressed his belief that Türkiye and Georgia will strengthen their friendship and cooperation across all areas.
He also highlighted Ankara's desire for the full operationalization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line.
Erdogan reaffirmed that Türkiye will continue supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In addition, the Turkish leader met his Somalian counterpart President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the margins of the ADF.
That meeting also addressed ties and regional and global issues.
"Pointing out the ongoing work to enhance relations between Türkiye and Somalia, President Erdogan stated that they would continue to be engaged in taking steps aimed at improving cooperation between the two countries," Türkiye's Communications Directorate in a statement.
"Expressing the importance he attaches to Somalia's achieving national reconciliation through unity, solidarity, and cooperation, President Erdogan noted that Türkiye will maintain its support," it added.