UPDATE - Turkish president, Council of Europe chief discuss global issues

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Alain Berset's meeting was also attended by Turkish foreign minister, communications director, and chief adviser to president, says official statement

UPDATES WITH INFO ON MEETING; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK AND LEDE

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on Tuesday discussed global and regional issues.

During the closed-door meeting with Berset at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye gives importance to constructive dialogue with the Council of Europe, according to a statement released by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Ankara continues to cooperate with human rights mechanisms and the council, he said.

The president expressed concern over the recent surge in racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia in Europe and stressed that the Council of Europe should be more sensitive in combating these issues.

Drawing attention to Israel’s ongoing massacres in Gaza, Erdogan said Europe should speak out strongly against Israeli aggression by defending international law and human rights.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Akif Cagatay Kilic, Erdogan's chief adviser, also attended the meeting.

Kaynak:

This news has been read 169 times in total