Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has received New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, where bilateral relations, as well as regional and global developments, were discussed.
According to a statement by Türkiye's Communications Directorate on Tuesday, President Erdogan noted that the visit, which coincided with the 111th anniversary of the Canakkale Battles, a milestone etched deeply in the shared memory of Türkiye and New Zealand, was of significant importance.
He stated that Türkiye aims to further develop relations with New Zealand, particularly in trade, as well as in the fields of defence industry and transportation.
Erdogan also expressed satisfaction with New Zealand’s principled stance in combating Islamophobia, adding that its support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution— both at the United Nations and bilaterally — was commendable.
The president also wished success to New Zealand, which will host the Pacific Islands Forum Summit next year.
Highlighting Türkiye’s progress in green transformation and its efforts in environmental protection and combating climate crisis, Erdogan recalled that the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference will be held in Antalya in November. He invited Governor-General Kiro to attend the summit.
The meeting was held behind closed doors.
Erdogan welcomed Kiro at the main entrance of the complex, where the two leaders posed for photographs in front of the Turkish and New Zealand flags.
