ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday discussed over phone the Russia-Ukraine peace process and the latest developments in Gaza with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Erdogan said on social media that he expressed Ankara's satisfaction with last week's meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, adding that Türkiye has been closely following the process.

"The humanitarian disaster in Gaza was undoubtedly one of the most important topics of our meeting," the Turkish president said.

Erdogan said he underlined the importance of France's decision to recognize the state of Palestine, adding that the Israeli government's plans to occupy Gaza City poses a threat to global security.

"My dear friend Macron and I agreed on enhancing cooperation between Türkiye and France, particularly in the defense industry," he said, expressing hope over the discussion to yield positive results for the two nations.

Earlier, in a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said that in the phone call at the request of the French side, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine peace process, latest developments in Gaza, as well as a range of regional and global issues.

Erdogan expressed Ankara's readiness to host "any initiatives aimed at peace talks between Ukraine and Russia," according to the communications office.

On Gaza, Erdogan said Türkiye is working to secure a ceasefire in the face of a “major humanitarian tragedy,” stressing that “Israel’s escalating recklessness in pushing forward its occupation plan must be curbed.”

The two leaders agreed to further discuss the issues in detail on the margins of the UN General Assembly to be held in New York in September.