Esra Tekin
24 September 2026•Update: 24 September 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday highlighted the “close cooperation” between Türkiye and the US, saying he believes it can contribute to peace and stability in the region.
“We believe that our close cooperation with the United States will generate added value not only on a bilateral level but also in establishing peace, stability, and tranquility in our region,” Erdogan said during a meeting with representatives of US think tanks at the Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York, where he was attending the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting was organized in coordination with the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications and the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA).
“These meetings, which have become a tradition, allow us to better understand one another and take a broader look at global issues,” he added.
Referring to the joint defense agreement Türkiye signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in Mecca, Erdogan said Ankara aims to establish “the axis of stability that our region needs most” through the deal.
He underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and respect for the sovereignty of countries in the region.
“In Syria, our priorities remain the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity, ensuring the rights of all ethnic and religious communities, and completely eliminating terrorist organizations from the country,” he added.
