Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for revitalized relations between Türkiye and the United States, emphasizing the need for enhanced dialogue and cooperation amid global conflicts and crises. Erdoğan’s remarks were delivered at the “100 Years of Friendship Gala” in New York, an event celebrating the century-long diplomatic ties between the two NATO allies.
During his speech, Erdoğan highlighted previous collaborative successes in the Middle East and expressed Türkiye’s commitment to deepening coordination with Washington. He proposed expanding bilateral cooperation in fields such as nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, civil aviation, high technology, and the defense sector. Erdoğan also advocated for eliminating barriers to joint defense production and increasing opportunities in this area.
The Turkish President underscored Türkiye’s burgeoning defense industry, noting that the nation’s defense exports have surged from approximately $248 million two decades ago to over $10 billion today. He projected that Türkiye could soon rank among the world’s top ten defense exporters. Erdoğan also encouraged American investors to explore new opportunities in Türkiye, highlighting Ankara’s initiative to launch a new investment drive under a competitive incentive framework.
US Senator Chris Coons, who also attended the gala, spoke about the enduring partnership between the two countries, pointing out the significant role of business ties and entrepreneurship in strengthening bilateral relations. The event brought together key Turkish and US officials, as well as business leaders, underscoring the importance of economic and diplomatic cooperation between the nations.