In Ankara, the Estonian head of state will be meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, parliamentary speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and members of the local Estonian Friendship Society.
“This year our two countries are marking a century of diplomatic cordiality,” President Karis noted. “We have not forgotten that Türkiye never recognised the Soviet occupation of Estonia. Today, Türkiye is a key ally to Estonia in NATO, as well as an influential centre of power not only in its own region, but globally – one with which we wish to deepen both political and defence-based cooperation.”
In his meetings with Turkish leaders, President Karis will be discussing bilateral relations, European security (including Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine), the objectives of the forthcoming NATO summit in Washington and the international security situation more broadly.
On Friday the head of state will be visiting the defence industry company Nurol Makina, on of two companies, from which Estonia is acquiring 230 armoured vehicles to a value of 200 million euros. While there he will be given an overview of the Turkish defence industry as a whole.
As part of his visit, President Karis will be laying a wreath on the grave of Atatürk, the first president of the Turkish republic.
The head of state will also be meeting with Estonia’s honorary consuls in Türkiye.
President Karis is being accompanied on his visit by Riigikogu member and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, head of the Defence Forces Major-General Enno Mõts and Foreign Intelligence Service director Kaupo Rosin.
