Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally welcomed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to the presidential complex in Ankara on Monday, beginning high-level talks aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. This visit represents an important diplomatic engagement between Turkey and South Korea, focused on expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.
The welcoming ceremony was attended by senior officials from both governments, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Trade Minister Omer Bolat. The presence of key cabinet members underlined the comprehensive nature of the planned discussions between the two leaders, covering economic, energy and diplomatic cooperation.
Bilateral meeting sets agenda
After the official ceremony, Presidents Erdogan and Lee headed to a private bilateral meeting during which they were expected to address pressing international issues as well as strengthen defense and trade relations. The discussions were expected to focus on regional stability, counter-terrorism cooperation and opportunities for joint investments in technology and infrastructure projects that benefit the strategic interests of both countries.
Signing ceremonies and joint press conference
The diplomatic agenda included the signing of formal agreements between Turkish and South Korean institutions, building on existing partnerships in the defense, energy and technology sectors. The visit was to end with a joint press conference during which the two leaders are expected to present the concrete results of their discussions and reaffirm their commitment to deepening the long-standing friendship between Turkey and South Korea.