Erdoğan meets Bulgarian president Radev in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit hosted by Türkiye at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, marked the start of Erdoğan's bilateral engagements during the summit. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Justice and Development Party Deputy Chairman and Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also attended.

Bilateral cooperation

Türkiye’s Communications Directorate stated that Erdoğan and Radev discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments. During the meeting, Erdoğan said relations between Türkiye and Bulgaria are advancing in a multidimensional manner and that the two countries are working to develop cooperation in many areas, particularly trade, transportation, the defence industry, and energy. Erdoğan said the Turkish community in Bulgaria strengthens the bond between the two countries, adding that Ankara welcomes Sofia’s sensitivity on the matter. He also invited Radev to the COP31 Leaders Summit in Türkiye.

Strategic significance

The meeting underscores the importance of Türkiye’s relations with its Balkan neighbours, particularly Bulgaria, which is a key NATO ally on the Black Sea. The two countries cooperate on energy projects, including natural gas transmission, and have been working to modernise border crossings and transport links. Erdoğan’s invitation to COP31 reflects Türkiye’s growing role in global climate diplomacy.