Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the NATO summit as a platform to convey a clear message: the ceasefire between Israel and Iran must become permanent, and a ceasefire in Gaza must be established to alleviate the escalating humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Summit Discussions and Regional Tensions
Erdogan’s office announced that during the summit, the Turkish head of state held discussions with the leaders of France, Germany, and Britain, addressing regional tensions, bilateral ties, relations with the European Union, and cooperation in the defense industry. He also met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“President Erdogan welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and stated that the situation needs to return to long-term tranquility. He also reiterated that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening and that a long-term ceasefire is also urgently required there,” the announcement stated.
Turkey, a NATO member, has been a strong critic of Israel and its war against Hamas. Gaza has endured immense destruction after two years of conflict, and its population has been displaced – sometimes multiple times – since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
Erdogan made similar calls during his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where he emphasized the urgent need to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
