Erdoğan departs for Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO summit

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan departed Ankara on Monday for Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, according to presidential sources. The presidential aircraft left the capital at 9 am local time carrying Erdoğan, first lady Emine Erdoğan, and a high-level delegation comprising senior ministers and advisors.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz led the send-off party at Esenboğa Airport, accompanied by Presidential Secretary-General Hakkı Susmaz and Ankara Governor Yakup Canbolat. The departure followed standard protocol for presidential overseas visits, with officials exchanging brief farewells on the tarmac before the aircraft commenced its journey to the Kyrgyz capital.

SCO engagement

Türkiye participates in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a dialogue partner, with Erdoğan's attendance at the Bishkek gathering expected to focus on regional security and economic cooperation frameworks. The visit underscores Ankara's strategic emphasis on deepening institutional ties across Eurasian diplomatic platforms.

The summit convenes as Kyrgyzstan holds the rotating presidency of the organization, hosting heads of state from member countries including Russia, China, and Central Asian republics. Erdoğan's participation marks the latest in a series of high-level Türkiye engagements with multilateral bodies operating across the region.