In a bid to bolster regional security and bilateral relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently engaged in separate telephone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. These discussions emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with both neighboring nations amidst ongoing international developments.
During his call with President Aliyev, Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s dedication to strengthening its ties with Azerbaijan, a relationship rooted in long-standing historical connections. The Turkish leader took the opportunity to congratulate Aliyev on the 35th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Restoration of Independence. Erdoğan also extended an invitation to Aliyev to attend the upcoming 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which is scheduled to take place in Ankara.
In his conversation with Prime Minister Radev, Erdoğan focused on expanding cooperation with Bulgaria, particularly in the realm of trade. The Turkish President also discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, involving engagement with both Russia and Ukraine. This dialogue comes in the wake of a drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, an incident over which Erdoğan expressed his concern and conveyed condolences.
Erdoğan further invited Radev to participate in the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, an environmental conference slated for November 11–12 in Antalya, Türkiye. These discussions underscore Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional alliances and address security challenges through diplomatic engagement.