Erdoğan meets Finnish president, Canadian PM ahead of NATO summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held separate meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara ahead of the NATO summit, focusing on bilateral cooperation, regional security, and the future of the alliance.

According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan and Stubb discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties as well as a range of regional and global issues, Caliber.Az reports.

Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, NATO Liderler Zirvesi (#NATOsummit) için Ankara’da bulunan Finlandiya Cumhurbaşkanı Alexander Stubb ile Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi’nde bir görüşme gerçekleştirdi.

Liderler, Türkiye-Finlandiya ikili ilişkileri ile bölgesel ve küresel… pic.twitter.com/fw1VYv1uQr

— T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı (@iletisim) July 7, 2026

During the talks, Erdoğan said trade and economic cooperation between Türkiye and Finland was gaining positive momentum and reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to further expanding bilateral economic relations.

The Turkish president also stressed the importance of allied unity at the NATO summit, arguing that Türkiye's potential contribution to Europe's security architecture should not be overlooked. He said efforts by the European Union to strengthen European defence should complement NATO rather than serve as an alternative to the alliance.

Erdoğan also outlined Türkiye's diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine, while reiterating Ankara's support for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, NATO Liderler Zirvesi (#NATOsummit) için Ankara’da bulunan Kanada Başbakanı Mark Carney’i Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi’nde kabul etti.

Kabulde Türkiye-Kanada ikili ilişkileri ile bölgesel ve küresel gelişmeler ele alındı.

Cumhurbaşkanı… pic.twitter.com/ztzhcbR7r7

— T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı (@iletisim) July 7, 2026

In a separate meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, security, the defence industry, and energy.

Erdoğan said closer collaboration in those sectors would benefit both countries and reaffirmed Turkey's support for strengthening NATO's European pillar. At the same time, he stressed that efforts to bolster European defence should not come at the expense of transatlantic ties.

He also argued that NATO allies outside the European Union should be included in European defence initiatives, underscoring Türkiye's longstanding position that non-EU members of the alliance should play a meaningful role in shaping Europe's security framework.

By Sabina Mammadli