WASHINGTON
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrapped up his five-day visit to the US on Thursday.
Erdogan arrived Sunday in New York to address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
On Sunday, the president attended the Türkiye Investment Conference at Turkish House, where he said trade with the US is growing each year.
"We surpassed $35 billion last year. America ranks second among the countries to which we export the most, and fifth among the ones from which we import the most. The $100 billion trade volume goal, which we set with my treasured friend, Mr. Trump, in 2019, continues to be our common goal," he added.
Türkiye views the energy and defense industries as primary areas of cooperation with the US, said the Turkish president. "Our defense industry cooperation should immediately be freed from the obstacles and limitations in line with the spirit of alliance,” he said.
International conference on Palestine
On Monday, Erdogan took part in the high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of a two-state solution on the margins of the General Assembly.
"Today, the Palestinian cause has become a global issue. The participation in this hall is the most important proof of this. In Europe, in Asia, in the Americas, in Africa, we are witnessing people chanting ‘Free Palestine’ on streets, on social media or in the press more than ever before now," Erdogan told the conference.
President Emmanuel Macron announced at the conference that France officially recognizes the State of Palestine.
Erdogan said amid developments, the decision by a group of countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to recognize the State of Palestine is an "extremely significant and historic step."
Despite the US’ refusal to grant Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to travel to New York in person, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution enabling Abbas to address the summit via video link.
'Today is the day to stand upright by the oppressed Palestinians in the name of humanity'
On Tuesday, Erdogan addressed the General Assembly, where he mainly focused on Israel's war in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip.
"Today, we stand here at this rostrum for our own citizens, but also for our Palestinian brothers and sisters, whose voice is attempted to be silenced," he told the Assembly, where he displayed photos from Gaza.
Erdogan said it is not only people who are being killed in Gaza, but also animals are being targeted, agricultural fields and centuries-old olive trees in the enclave are being destroyed.
"I state frankly from this rostrum: There is no war in Gaza. There can be no talk of two belligerent parties in Gaza. In Gaza, on one side, there is a regular army equipped with the most modern, most lethal weapons. And on the other side, there are innocent civilians, innocent children.
"This is not a fight against terrorism. This is an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide; this is in fact a policy of collective extermination carried out under the pretext of the Oct. 7 incident," he said.
He touched on regional issues, such as Syria, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Balkans and the EU.
Erdogan reiterated his call for a change at the UN, referring to the Security Council’s unrepresentative membership.
“I sincerely believe that our collective responsibility is to take the steps that will return the UN to its founding spirit in its 80th year.
“We will continue to say ‘The World Is Bigger Than Five!’ until a system is established where the just, not the powerful, prevail,” he said.
Later, Erdogan, together with US President Donald Trump, attended a multilateral meeting on Gaza on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Tuesday night, Erdogan, accompanied by first lady Emine Erdogan, attended a reception hosted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump in honor of heads of state and their spouses.
Climate change summit
Erdogan delivered a speech Wednesday at the special high-level event on climate action as part of the high-level week of the 80th General Assembly.
Türkiye wants to achieve a reduction of 466 million tons in emissions by 2035 and lower its total emissions to 643 million tons, said Erdogan.
"As we ramp up energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy, we also promote low-carbon technologies in industry. As of this year, we have increased the share of renewable energy in our total installed capacity to over 60%,” he added.
Erdogan detailed Türkiye’s initiatives, including plans to establish an emissions trading system, implement a green finance strategy and create a national green taxonomy.
He expressed hope that Türkiye could host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in 2026.
Bilateral talks
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Erdogan received Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday to discuss ties as well as regional and global issues.
Türkiye is making efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the uninterrupted entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave, Erdogan told Carney, and said a two-state solution is the only option for resolving the Palestinian issue.
(Erdogan received Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney)
Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with Canada’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state and congratulated Carney.
Separately, Erdogan met Monday with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamada al-Sabah at the Turkish House to address relations as well as regional and global issues.
Highlighting the importance of Islamic countries demonstrating a common stance against Israel’s "massacres" in Palestinian territories, Erdogan stressed that negotiations must continue to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Erdogan met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to address regional and global issues, particularly Israel's attacks against Gaza.
He noted that Israel targets not only Palestinians, but also regional and global peace. The Turkish president emphasized that the international community must intensify pressure on Israel to secure the uninterrupted entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Later, he met Chairman Mohammad al-Manfi of the Presidential Council of Libya at the Turkish House, where they discussed Türkiye-Libya relations and regional matters.
On Wednesday, Erdogan met his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, becoming the first Syrian head of state to attend and address the General Assembly since 1967.
Stating that Türkiye expects all sanctions against Syria to be lifted as soon as possible, Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye takes a positive view of all initiatives based on and aimed at safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Erdogan underscored that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) must comply with the March 10 Agreement to integrate the group into Syrian institutions. He also stressed that Türkiye is closely monitoring all regional developments and affirmed that support for Syria will continue to increase.
Later, he met Macron to discuss relations as well as regional and global issues.
Congratulating Macron on France’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine, Erdogan underlined that increasing international pressure on the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could yield results for a two-state solution, and highlighted the importance of maintaining close contact between Türkiye and France on the issue.
The leaders also exchanged views on the latest developments in Syria, as well as on the rise of xenophobia and hate crimes in Europe.
Erdogan also met Vietnamese President Luong Cuong at the Turkish House to address ties and regional issues.
Antonio Costa, president of the European Council and Erdogan held s meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Erdogan on Monday delivered a speech at a dinner held by the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) in New York, where he expressed his pleasure to see the Turkish community in the US acting in a spirit of unity and solidarity.
Separately, the president met US-Türkiye Business Council Chair Hamdi Ulukaya and senior executives of US companies at the Turkish House.
Meeting with Trump in Washington, DC
Erdogan, along with the Turkish first lady, arrived Wednesday in the nation's capital, where he stayed at Blair House, the US president’s official guest residence.
On Thursday, Trump welcomed Erdogan with an official ceremony at the White House.
The leaders proceeded to the Oval Office for a meeting, following a working lunch.
Ahead of their meeting, Erdogan said Türkiye-US relations are going through a "very distinct" period in Trump's tenure.
Erdogan said they will discuss "in detail" the sales of F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye as well as issues related to Turkish lender Halkbank.
Türkiye is "ready to do whatever is necessary" on the Greek Orthodox Seminary in Heybeliada, Istanbul, Erdogan said about the facility, which is currently not in use.
"Upon my return, I will have the opportunity to discuss this matter with Mr. Bartholomew,” he added, referring to Istanbul’s Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.
Asked by reporters about his remarks that Trump is “making efforts for peace” and how they can work together in the future, Erdogan said: "I say this because I believe it. I believe that together, hand in hand, we will overcome these challenges in the region."
Trump lauded his Turkish counterpart, calling Erdogan "a highly respected man. He's respected very much in his country and all throughout Europe and throughout the world, where they know him."
🗣️ 'Türkiye, and we had a great meeting today. I think we had a meeting that was very conclusive of so many different things, things that we wanted, the things that he wanted, and that was good'
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 25, 2025
US President Trump hails bilateral progress during his over two-hour White House… pic.twitter.com/y6gGOQQocl
"He's built a tremendous military, powerful military; uses a lot of our equipment, and it's an honor to have him at the White House," Trump said.
"It was a great meeting," Trump told reporters as Erdogan left the White House. Their meeting lasted two hours and 20 minutes.
Trump accompanied Erdogan to the door of the White House. Before leaving, Erdogan signed the White House official guest book.
Erdogan then returned to Blair House, where he signed the guest book and took a photo with the staff.
