Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference at the State Guesthouse of Atatürk Airport in Istanbul on Sunday before departing for the United States to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Speaking to reporters, Erdoğan dismissed recent opposition allegations claiming that he had held a “secret meeting” with Donald Trump Jr., the son of former U.S. President Donald Trump. “These allegations are baseless and fabricated. If we are going to do any business with Donald Trump, there is no need to do it with his son,” Erdoğan stated, emphasizing transparency in Türkiye’s foreign relations.

Turning to his agenda for the UNGA, Erdoğan underlined the historic significance of this year’s session. “What distinguishes the 80th session of the General Assembly from others is that many countries will recognize the State of Palestine. We hope these decisions to recognize Palestine will add momentum to the implementation of the two-state solution,” he said, stressing Türkiye’s longstanding support for Palestinian statehood.

Erdoğan also welcomed developments in Syria, noting that a new administration has taken power following what he referred to as the “December 8 revolution,” ending 14 years of civil war and turmoil. “It is extremely pleasing for us that the new administration of our neighbor Syria will also be represented at this session,” he added, signaling Ankara’s interest in deepening dialogue with Damascus in the post-war period.

According to the Presidential Communications Directorate, Erdoğan’s U.S. program will include a high-profile bilateral meeting with former President Donald Trump at the White House on September 25 — their first meeting since Trump began his second term earlier this year. The leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism cooperation, economic relations, defense industry partnerships, and regional crises in Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine.

In addition to his speech at the General Assembly, Erdoğan is scheduled to meet with several world leaders and hold side meetings with representatives of Turkish-American communities and business circles. The president is also expected to raise Türkiye’s call for reform of the UN Security Council under his well-known slogan “The world is bigger than five.”

The visit comes at a time of heightened international attention on the Gaza crisis, with Türkiye actively pressing for a ceasefire and accountability for Israeli war crimes. Erdoğan is expected to use his address at the UNGA to call on world leaders to take concrete steps to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza and implement the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures. (ILKHA)