Erdoğan discusses regional security with Azerbaijan, Bulgaria leaders

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held separate phone calls on Wednesday with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The talks covered bilateral cooperation, regional security and global developments, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

In his conversation with Aliyev, Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Azerbaijan and emphasized the deep-rooted bonds of brotherhood between the two countries, the directorate said on the social media platform X. Erdoğan also congratulated Aliyev on the 35th anniversary of Azerbaijan's Restoration of Independence and invited him to the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara.

In a separate call with Radev, Erdoğan stressed Ankara's determination to deepen ties with Bulgaria and pursue concrete steps to expand cooperation, particularly in trade. He also highlighted Türkiye's diplomatic efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea through continued engagement with Russia and Ukraine. Erdoğan expressed sorrow over a drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, conveyed his sympathies and best wishes, and invited Radev to the COP31 Leaders' Summit, scheduled for Nov. 11-12 in Antalya.