Turkish president joins Trump’s reception for world leaders in New York

By Merve Yildizalp Yormaz, Orhan Onur Gemici and Gizem Nisa Demir

NEW YORK/ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday attended a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump in honor of heads of state and their spouses.

Erdogan was accompanied by first lady Emine Erdogan to the event, which took place at the Lotte Palace Hotel on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The reception was closed to the press.

Separately, Emine Erdogan, who also serves as chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Zero Waste, attended a reception hosted by Melania Trump for leaders’ spouses. The gathering provided an opportunity for informal exchanges among first ladies.

During the event, Emine Erdogan was seen conversing with several leaders’ spouses and exchanging views on issues including children, women, the environment, and culture.