Erdoğan’s Visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in China
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, arrived in the city of Tianjin, China, to participate in the 25th Heads of State Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At Beijing International Airport, he was officially welcomed by Li Heicao, State Councilor of China, Selçuk Ünal, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beijing, and representatives from the Turkish Embassy.
The delegation accompanying the President of Türkiye included high-ranking figures such as Emine Erdoğan (First Lady of Türkiye), Hakan Fidan (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye), Alparslan Bayraktar (Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye), Mehmet Şimşek (Minister of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye), Yaşar Güler (Minister of National Defense of Türkiye), Mehmet Fatih Kacır (Minister of Industry and Technology of Türkiye), Ömer Bolat (Minister of Trade of Türkiye), as well as senior party, security, and administrative officials.
Erdoğan’s Speech at the Summit
In this meeting, the President of Türkiye outlined Ankara’s positions and views on regional cooperation and the most important international issues. Erdoğan emphasized: “Türkiye, as a bridge between East and West, will continue to develop cooperation with the member states of the Organization. We stress the alignment of the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road Initiative and believe that this cooperation can make a significant contribution to the development of trade and transportation in the region.”
He went on to add, regarding global issues: “In matters such as the Gaza crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the reconstruction process of Syria, Türkiye has always insisted on diplomatic solutions and the preservation of the territorial integrity of countries. We are ready to play our role in facilitating dialogue and establishing peace.”
Bilateral Meetings
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, China, met and held talks with several senior international officials.
Meeting with Xi Jinping, President of China:
In this meeting, the two sides emphasized the development and deepening of bilateral cooperation, the continuation of Türkiye’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the alignment of the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road Initiative, support for balanced trade, and the increase of Chinese companies’ investments in Türkiye. Developments in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and joint efforts for the reconstruction of Syria were also discussed.
Meeting with Cai Qi, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China:
In this meeting, Erdoğan stressed strengthening cooperation at all levels and within all international institutions, including the United Nations, the G20, and BRICS, as well as increasing the volume of bilateral trade to 50 billion US dollars.
Meeting with Vladimir Putin, President of Russia:
In this meeting, Putin described Russia–Türkiye relations as based on “good neighborliness and traditional friendship” and noted a 6.6% growth in bilateral trade between the two countries in the past year. He referred to the activities of Russian companies in Türkiye’s metallurgy and automotive industries, as well as the presence of Turkish companies in Russia’s mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and wood industries.
Putin called cooperation in the energy sector “strategic” and pointed to the ongoing progress in the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. He also emphasized Türkiye’s role in international efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
Erdoğan, for his part, stated: “Our relations are developing despite challenges, and technical negotiations between the two countries are progressing positively. Our invitation for your visit to Türkiye still stands.”
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza, the reconstruction process in Syria, and developments in West Asia, North Africa, and the South Caucasus.
Meeting with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan:
In this discussion, bilateral relations, regional and global developments, and the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan were reviewed. Erdoğan expressed satisfaction with the progress of this process and emphasized Türkiye’s continued support and active participation.
The two sides also agreed on coordinating joint actions for regional development and implementing new projects in the fields of energy and transportation.
Meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia:
At his residence in Tianjin, Erdoğan hosted Nikol Pashinyan. The main focus of the talks was bilateral relations, normalization steps, and the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
The President of Türkiye welcomed the progress achieved in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister of Armenia also stressed the importance of maintaining a constructive approach and strengthening mutual trust.
Both sides considered the continuation of dialogue and the expansion of regional cooperation essential.
