Estonian President Alar Karis Visits Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

In a significant diplomatic meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Estonian President Alar Karis at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. This visit marked a momentous occasion as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Estonia. Following their discussions, the two leaders held a joint press conference to outline the key outcomes of their meeting.

President Erdoğan expressed his pleasure at welcoming President Karis and his delegation to Ankara on this historic anniversary. He highlighted the deep-rooted diplomatic ties between the two nations and emphasized their mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in various domains.

Enhancing Trade Relations

During their talks, Presidents Erdoğan and Karis reaffirmed their shared determination to enhance Turkey-Estonia relations. They discussed several joint initiatives aimed at boosting cooperation. President Erdoğan noted that the two countries have immense potential to advance their collaboration across different sectors. He underscored the significant growth in trade volume, which has reached $429 million, and stressed the importance of further increasing mutual investments.

President Erdoğan also mentioned the establishment of the Economic and Trade Joint Committee last year, and announced plans to hold the committee’s first meeting in Turkey soon. This meeting is expected to pave the way for a new roadmap, enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

NATO Allies and Defence Cooperation

As NATO allies, Turkey and Estonia have a robust foundation for cooperation in the defence sector. President Erdoğan emphasized the potential to expand existing collaborations with additional concrete projects. He highlighted the importance of diversifying relations across a broad spectrum, from science and technology to education, culture, and tourism.

Particularly noteworthy was the focus on digital transformation and cyber defence, areas where Estonia has gained international recognition. President Erdoğan expressed his confidence that the close bilateral ties and solidarity within NATO would continue to strengthen on solid grounds.

Turkey-EU Relations

The discussions also covered Turkey-EU relations and current regional and global issues. President Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s strategic goal of full membership in the European Union. He emphasized the mutual benefits of the EU adopting a perspective similar to Turkey’s and expressed hope for Estonia’s continued support in this regard.

Addressing the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Russia-Ukraine conflict was another critical topic during the talks. President Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He stressed that achieving a fair and final solution to the conflict through diplomacy is essential. Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s stance that initiatives excluding Russia are unlikely to yield the desired outcomes.

The Situation in Gaza

President Erdoğan also addressed the ongoing crisis in Gaza. He condemned Israel’s actions and called for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering in the region. Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to pursuing a permanent peace based on a two-state solution and emphasized the need for the international community to take decisive action.

Estonian President’s Remarks

President Karis, in his remarks, acknowledged the critical role of Turkey in regional security and NATO. He underscored the longstanding diplomatic relations between Estonia and Turkey, which date back to the establishment of Estonia’s first consulate in Istanbul in 1929. Karis highlighted the historical significance of Turkey not recognizing the Soviet occupation of Estonia.

He also noted Estonia’s solidarity with Turkey during difficult times, such as sending rescue teams to Turkey following the devastating earthquake in Kahramanmaraş in February 2023. Karis emphasized the ongoing cooperation between the two nations at both national and regional levels.

Support for Turkey’s EU Membership

President Karis expressed Estonia’s strong support for Turkey’s EU membership process. He acknowledged Turkey’s strategic importance to the EU, particularly in terms of security and its role as a host to the world’s largest refugee population. Karis stressed the necessity for the EU to deepen its dialogue with Turkey and recognize its significance as a partner in addressing various global challenges.

Global Security and Humanitarian Aid

Addressing the Russia-Ukraine war, President Karis highlighted its profound impact on global security. He stressed the importance of Ukraine’s survival and praised Turkey’s contributions to global food security through initiatives like the Black Sea grain deal.

Karis also spoke on the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, reiterating Estonia’s support for the Palestinian cause at the United Nations and emphasizing the necessity of delivering aid to those in need.

In conclusion, President Erdoğan thanked President Karis for his visit, expressing hope that the discussions would yield positive outcomes for both nations.