OMM Redaksiyası
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Türkiye and the United States to overcome barriers in their relationship and give new momentum to cooperation between the two NATO allies.
Speaking at the “100 Years of Friendship Gala” in New York on Monday, Erdogan said conflicts, wars and crises in the region and around the world required Ankara and Washington to maintain close dialogue, according to the source.
He said coordination with the United States had produced positive results on issues affecting the Middle East, Africa and Asia, adding that Türkiye was determined to intensify those efforts.
Defense and energy cooperation
Erdogan cited what he described as significant progress in bilateral relations, including his “sincere and exceptional dialogue” with US President Donald Trump and Trump’s visit to Ankara in July.
Türkiye is ready to expand cooperation with the United States in nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, civil aviation and high technology, Erdogan said.
“Developing the defense industry, traditionally one of the strongest areas of our partnership, both bilaterally and within NATO is essential,” he said. “We want to leave behind the barriers that should never have existed between two allies and gain new momentum.”
Erdogan also backed deeper cooperation, including opportunities for joint production, saying it would serve the interests of both countries.
He said Turkish companies had reached a level that allowed them to invest in the United States and expressed confidence that Türkiye would soon become one of the world’s 10 largest defense exporters.
Türkiye’s annual defense exports have risen from $248 million two decades ago to more than $10 billion today, Erdogan said. The country’s share of global defense equipment exports has also increased by more than 120% compared with five years ago, he added.
Call for more US investment
Erdogan said Türkiye had attracted nearly $300 billion in foreign direct investment over the past 24 years and had strengthened its position as an “island of stability” despite surrounding conflicts and crises.
He also pointed to reconstruction after the 2023 earthquakes, saying more than 455,000 homes had been completed and handed over to victims within about three years.
According to Erdogan, the figures reflected the resilience of the Turkish economy. He urged investors to make use of opportunities in Türkiye as the government launched a new investment drive.
An investment programme announced in April includes what Erdogan described as one of the world’s most competitive incentive packages, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate for investors from 25% to 12.5%.
He called on the US-Türkiye Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce to continue encouraging American companies to invest in Türkiye.
Erdogan said he hoped the countries’ alliance and bilateral ties would become stronger during the second century of their diplomatic relations.
