Politics
Turkish, German leaders discuss ties, NATO, Ukraine in phone call
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and global developments, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said Monday.
During the call, Erdoğan noted Türkiye aims to further strengthen relations with Germany and underlined the importance of continuing mutual steps to advance cooperation between the two countries.
The leaders also discussed the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled to be held in Ankara. Erdoğan said Türkiye expects the summit to demonstrate a strong will to strengthen Europe’s defense within NATO while preserving the transatlantic bond.
Erdoğan also stressed thatTürkiye was making intensive efforts to help bring Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end through a lasting peace. He said Ankara was continuing work to revive negotiations and restart the diplomatic process between Moscow and Kyiv.
Türkiye has maintained contacts with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war and has repeatedly offered to facilitate talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan will hold the seventh meeting of their Joint Strategic Planning Group in Ankara on Wednesday, with talks expected to focus on political ties, trade, energy, defense and regional developments.
The meeting will be co-chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
During one-on-one and delegation-level talks, Fidan is expected to underline satisfaction with the current level of political relations and high-level contacts between the two countries.
Connectivity and logistics infrastructure, including the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor, will also be on the agenda. The ministers are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues, including developments related to Ukraine, Iran and Palestine.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides are expected to adopt a joint declaration and sign a cooperation program between their foreign ministries for 2026-2027.
Türkiye was the first country to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s independence on Dec. 16, 1991. The two countries established diplomatic relations on Jan. 29, 1992, and opened embassies in Ankara and Bishkek the same year. Türkiye was also the first country to open an embassy in Bishkek.
Relations were elevated from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership during a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting co-chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek on Nov. 5, 2024. The two sides signed 19 agreements in areas including defense industry, economy, agriculture, health and trade.
Türkiye is Kyrgyzstan’s seventh-largest trade partner. Bilateral trade volume rose 6.3% in 2025 from the previous year to $1.645 billion.
Turkish direct investments in Kyrgyzstan reached $1.6 billion between 1995 and 2025, making Türkiye the country’s third-largest investor after China and Russia. Around 350 Turkish companies operate in Kyrgyzstan in sectors including mining, finance, tourism and construction.
Education is also a key area of cooperation. Since 1992, 4,676 Kyrgyz students have received scholarships to study in Türkiye.
Turkish authorities said Monday that 134 members of the PKK terrorist group have surrendered to security forces since the beginning of the year through government outreach and persuasion efforts.
The Interior Ministry noted the surrenders resulted from operations coordinated by the intelligence units of the Gendarmerie General Command and the National Police, together with the Police Department’s Counterterrorism Division.
According to the ministry, those who surrendered include two members listed in the group’s gray category and one listed in the yellow category, classifications used by Turkish authorities to rank the wanted.
The ministry said 115 of the surrendered suspects have been arrested pending trial, while 14 were released under judicial control measures. Judicial proceedings are continuing for the remaining five individuals.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry said security forces would continue operations against terrorist groups targeting Türkiye’s security and national unity.
Türkiye, the United States and the European Union have designated the PKK as a terrorist group. The PKK has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.
The PKK announced in October 2025 that it had started withdrawing from Türkiye as part of the terror-free Türkiye initiative, months after it began abandoning arms in northern Iraq.
The terror-free initiative launched by a government ally in 2024 has entered into a new phase: the withdrawal. In a ceremony in Iraq, the group made a statement about the process, with some members, reportedly those who left Türkiye for the withdrawal, in attendance.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Monday that Euro-Atlantic security was at a “historic turning point,” calling on NATO allies to strengthen solidarity and warning that mounting conflicts, terrorism and irregular migration require a new approach to collective security.
Speaking at a luncheon at the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul, Erdoğan said the gathering carried added significance ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
“The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is at a historic crossroads,” Erdoğan said. “Wars, crises, terrorism and irregular migration, particularly along NATO’s eastern and southeastern borders, require us to reshape our understanding of security.”
He said traditional assumptions about global politics and security were no longer sufficient in a world marked by growing instability and uncertainty.
Erdoğan argued that recent conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, had exposed the limitations of existing international institutions while reinforcing the importance of NATO’s deterrence and unity.
“In this environment, preserving NATO’s deterrence and strengthening solidarity among allies have become even more critical,” he noted.
The Turkish president said Türkiye, which shares more than 1,800 kilometers of land borders with conflict regions, has become one of the alliance’s key contributors through its military capabilities, defense industry and participation in NATO missions.
He said Ankara has accumulated extensive experience in managing regional crises and would continue sharing that expertise with allies during the upcoming NATO summit.
Erdoğan also said expectations for the Ankara summit were high both among NATO members and the wider international community, expressing hope that the meeting would produce outcomes that reinforce alliance solidarity while respecting the national security concerns of individual allies.
Türkiye will host the leaders’ summit of the alliance for the second time in more than two decades. Heads of state and top figures from member countries will be in Ankara for the summit.
Highlighting Türkiye’s role within NATO, Erdoğan said the country remains among the alliance’s top five contributors to NATO missions and operations and is increasing defense spending in line with commitments made at last week’s NATO summit in The Hague.
He urged European allies to include Türkiye in emerging European defense and security initiatives, saying the country’s defense capabilities should not be excluded for what he described as narrow political considerations.
“We need a security and defense network stretching from Texas to Ankara without reservations,” Erdoğan underlined.
He added that the NATO Defense Industry Forum, to be held alongside next week’s summit in Ankara, would showcase Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defense industry while exploring ways to deepen defense cooperation among allies.
Pursuing global peace
Regional security issues are also expected to feature prominently during the summit, Erdoğan said, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, developments involving Iran, and the situation in the Middle East.
On the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s longstanding support for a two-state solution.
He said lasting peace in the Middle East would not be possible unless Israel’s occupation ended and an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, was established.
Erdoğan also welcomed the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran, saying Türkiye would continue working with countries including Pakistan and Qatar to help transform the truce into a lasting settlement.
He warned against actions that could undermine the agreement, referring to recent attacks in Lebanon, and called on NATO parliamentarians to support efforts aimed at preserving regional stability.
On Ukraine, Erdoğan said Türkiye would continue supporting diplomatic efforts to end the war.
“As an ally that can speak to both sides and has earned the trust of both parties through a fair approach, we will continue to contribute actively to peace efforts,” he said.
The NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara is expected to focus on collective defense, defense industry cooperation, regional security challenges and implementation of new allied defense spending commitments.
Türkiye on Monday strongly condemned Israel’s latest strikes in southern Syria, saying the attacks violated Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, endangered civilians and undermined efforts to restore stability, as both the Foreign Ministry and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran called on the international community to take action.
The Foreign Ministry denounced Israel’s recent attacks on the Syrian provinces of Quneitra and Daraa, describing them as a clear violation of Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law and the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.
The ministry said the strikes endangered the security of civilians and their property while further worsening humanitarian conditions in the region. It warned that the attacks threatened Syria’s progress since December 2024 and jeopardized broader regional stability.
Calling on the international community to act, the ministry urged governments to fulfill their responsibilities to stop what it described as Israel’s unlawful attacks targeting Syria’s stability.
Separately, Communications Director Duran also condemned Israel’s latest attacks, saying they targeted Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability.
Duran said the strikes constituted a clear violation of international law and existing agreements, endangered civilian lives and sabotaged efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
He stressed that the international community must assume responsibility and take immediate steps against what he described as Israel’s lawless actions threatening regional security.
Duran added that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye would continue to regard the protection of Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as a fundamental prerequisite for regional peace and security.
Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is expected to continue replacing provincial heads as the party leadership moves to end internal divisions following a court ruling that deepened the rift within the party.
The CHP administration, led by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, has so far removed 10 provincial heads and referred four of them to disciplinary boards, according to party sources. More dismissals are expected in the coming weeks, with at least 50 provincial chairs likely to be replaced by September, according to a report by Sabah newspaper.
The party has been facing growing internal tension after a court ruling on absolute nullity intensified divisions between factions loyal to Kılıçdaroğlu and those aligned with Manisa deputy Özgür Özel. Seventy-four provincial heads had reportedly sided with Özel during the process, drawing criticism from the party leadership.
Party sources said Kılıçdaroğlu does not have a prejudiced stance against any party official but added that no chairperson would allow dual authority within the organization.
The provinces expected to be affected in the next round include Sinop, Kars and Düzce. A new appointment is also expected in Bitlis, where the previous provincial administration had been removed.
Among the names reportedly facing removal are Düzce provincial head Özcan Dağıstanlı, who called Kılıçdaroğlu “Kayyumdaroğlu,” Kars provincial head Onur Uludaşdemir, who used the term “pawn” for the CHP leader, and Sinop provincial head Aykut Cem Yalçınkaya, who drew attention with a video mocking Kılıçdaroğlu.
Meanwhile, several candidates from across Türkiye have reportedly visited CHP headquarters in Ankara to seek appointment to provincial posts. Former provincial and district heads, lawmakers, mayors and local council members from cities including Mardin, Antalya, Adana and Izmir have also conveyed messages of support to Kılıçdaroğlu and his team.
The CHP has also formed a special review board for mayors whose names have been linked to corruption investigations. The board, composed of experts in law, accounting and other fields, is expected to prepare reports that could influence future disciplinary referrals concerning municipalities.
Wave of resignations
Kılıçdaroğlu repeatedly referred to the need for “renewal,” “cleansing” and a “clean congress,” saying the CHP would hold those responsible for alleged wrongdoing accountable and organize what he described as a transparent party congress.
He also drew a distinction between party members whom he said represented the CHP’s values and those he accused of damaging the party’s reputation through corruption or misconduct.
The dispute escalated further on June 10, 2026, when the CHP executive board, chaired by Kılıçdaroğlu, referred nine lawmakers associated with Özel to the party’s High Disciplinary Board with a request for permanent expulsion.
Party spokesperson Müslim Sarı said the disciplinary measures formed part of what the leadership described as a broader effort to promote “clean politics.”
The executive board later initiated similar disciplinary proceedings against Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer and Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, bringing the total number of senior party figures facing expulsion requests to 11.
In response, 28 members of the CHP party assembly aligned with Özel resigned from the body, further deepening the institutional crisis.
The leadership dispute also coincided with a broader wave of resignations among local politicians.
Nimet Özdemir, a lawmaker who resigned from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), formally joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) last Wednesday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Özdemir at the parliamentary group meeting of the party.
Two weeks ago, former Good Party (IP) lawmaker Ersin Beyaz joined the AK Party, soon after his resignation from the opposition party.
The AK Party has seen a stream of new transfers in the past two years. Since the 2024 elections, 15 mayors have left their parties and joined the AK Party. Most of them were formerly members of the CHP.
Türkiye on Sunday condemned a decision by the Israeli government regarding Armenian claims over the 1915 events, accusing Israel of using the issue to divert international attention from its conduct in Gaza.
In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Israel’s decision was politically motivated and alleged that it was intended to conceal Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
“The Israeli government, which is carrying out systematic oppression against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the entire world and is being tried at the International Court of Justice on charges of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, aims to cover up its own crimes through the political decision it has adopted regarding the events of 1915,” the ministry said.
The ministry described the move as “a malicious attempt” that ignored “historical and legal realities.”
It also argued that the decision reflected the international pressure facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. The statement referred to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with its investigation into alleged crimes committed against Palestinians.
Türkiye will continue working to end Israel’s expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region and to ensure that Netanyahu’s government is held accountable under international law for crimes committed against civilians, the ministry added.
Moreover, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also criticized Israel’s decision in a statement posted on social media.
Duran accused the Israeli government of hypocrisy, saying it had no moral authority to make political judgments on historical events while, according to Türkiye, continuing military operations in Gaza.
He said Israel’s recognition of the Armenian claims represented an attempt to deflect attention from what he described as the deaths of Palestinian civilians and alleged violations of international law.
Duran also referred to the proceedings at the International Court of Justice concerning Israel’s conduct in Gaza, arguing that officials facing genocide allegations had no standing to “lecture Türkiye on history or act as guardians of conscience.”
AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala also condemned the Israeli Cabinet’s decision in a social media post on Monday, saying the move was an attempt to divert international attention from Israel’s own conduct in Gaza.
He said the decision was “politically illegitimate and legally invalid,” arguing that it had been taken by those responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza, the displacement of Palestinians, and actions repeatedly condemned by United Nations agencies.
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay also criticized the Israeli Cabinet’s decision in a post on X, arguing that Israel, which he said was facing genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice over its military campaign in Gaza, was in no position to pass judgment on the 1915 events.
Oktay also warned that the Israeli parliament would be better served by addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, rather than adopting what he described as “false accusations” against Türkiye.
Netanyahu said in an interview last year that, for the first time as Israel’s prime minister, he recognized the 1915 mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as “genocide”.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan on Monday criticized the Israeli government’s decision to recognize the so-called “Armenian genocide,” calling on Israel to reconsider the move.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was “seriously concerned” by the decision distorting historical facts surrounding the events of 1915.
“It is unacceptable to distort historical facts about the events of 1915 and turn complex historical processes into the subject of political decisions far removed from legal and scientific foundations,” the statement said.
The ministry stressed that such decisions do not contribute to reconciliation or mutual understanding but instead deepen existing divisions and hinder efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
It urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decision and that Baku would continue to uphold historical truth, respect for international law and efforts to promote sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.
“Azerbaijan will continue to maintain its consistent position in defense of historical truths, respect for the principles of international law and promotion of sustainable peace in the region,” it said.
The statements came after Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on June 28, recognizing the mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.
Türkiye objects to the presentation of the 1915 incidents as “genocide,” describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Türkiye and Armenia, as well as international experts, to tackle the issue.
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