Erdogan calls Greece NATO ally in New York and urges calm ahead of May elections

Diplomatic statements in New York

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed bilateral relations between Ankara and Athens on 24 September 2026, speaking to journalists aboard his presidential aircraft following meetings at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Erdogan conducted several bilateral discussions with foreign leaders and international officials during the annual summit before addressing Greek-Turkish ties. During the press briefing, Erdogan stated that Turkey does not consider Greece an enemy, characterizing the relationship as one between neighbors who share a mutual alliance within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

“Turkey is not an enemy of Greece, but a neighbor and an ally under NATO.”

Erdogan stated that his administration concentrates on Turkey's domestic agenda, sovereign rights, and national security interests, with the objective of preserving peace and tranquility across the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

Greek electoral campaign and defense procurement

Journalists on board questioned Erdogan regarding political debate in Greece ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for May. The questioning referenced discussions in Athens concerning the procurement and sale of F-35 fighter jets, as well as past warnings to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding the internationalization of bilateral disputes. In response, Erdogan insisted that Ankara holds no interest in the internal political dynamics of Greece, stating that changes in government or parliamentary opposition do not affect Turkey's stance. He argued that foreign relations between the two Aegean neighbors should remain separated from electioneering.

“The relations between the two countries are very sensitive and important to be used as campaign material.”

UN General Assembly podium and Cyprus

The press conference followed Erdogan's address before the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. From the assembly podium, the Turkish president discussed persistent maritime and sovereignty issues in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean basin. He reiterated a Turkish diplomatic proposal to convene a comprehensive regional conference aimed at establishing common ground among all regional stakeholders. Erdogan also addressed the Cyprus division during his assembly speech, calling directly on the international community to formally recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to establish political, diplomatic, and economic relations with the territory.

Response from Athens in New York

Following Erdogan's press briefing and hours before Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly, a senior Greek government official met with reporters in New York. The Greek official stated that Erdogan's statements represented a different direction from rhetoric heard in the recent past. Emphasizing that geography requires both nations to live side by side, the official stated that Athens views the reduction of bilateral tension as the immediate priority. The official added that Greece bears no responsibility for previous escalations in tensions across the Aegean.