ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban on Friday discussed a range of issues including bilateral relations and Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people, as they met on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Turkish Communications Directorate said in a statement.

The meeting also addressed the latest situation in the Ukraine war, Türkiye-EU relations, and NATO's expansion process.

Saying that it is the responsibility of all countries to prevent Israeli attempts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed besides mass destruction and displacement, President Erdogan expressed that the "cries of the innocent Palestinian people" must not be ignored.

Türkiye stands by peace in all conflicts and continues to take firm steps in this direction, he asserted.

The Turkish leader said relations between Türkiye and Hungary will continue to increase in many aspects, from the economy to the defense industry, and from energy to transportation.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Chief Adviser on Security and Foreign Policy to the President Akif Cagatay Kilic, and Ambassador to Budapest Gulsen Karanis also attended the meeting.   

Türkiye's crucial role for Europe

Orban emphasized Türkiye's crucial role in dealing with the issue of migration in Europe, saying President Erdogan has been actively engaged in this endeavor.

He said that without a strong leadership in Türkiye, Europe would face significant challenges, and also pointed out that Brussels had not fulfilled its promises to Ankara. 

In a separate post on X, Orban said: "It was a privilege to meet with President Erdogan on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. I am looking forward to further strengthening our enhanced strategic partnership in the field of trade, energy and the defense industry."