On July 21, 2026, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a series of diplomatic phone calls with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. The discussions addressed bilateral relations, the recent NATO Ankara Summit, and Turkey’s support for Baltic security, alongside celebrations of Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup victory.
Diplomatic Outreach and the 2026 FIFA World Cup
In a series of high-level telephone discussions, President Erdoğan reached out to international counterparts to solidify bilateral ties and address current global developments. A central focus of his conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Spain emerged as the champion. On July 19, 2026, President Erdoğan had previously utilized social media to share his congratulations, writing: 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası’nda şampiyonluğa ulaşan İspanya millî takımını yürekten tebrik ediyor; dost İspanya halkına ülkem ve milletim adına selamlarımı, muhabbetlerimi iletiyorum.
During the July 21 call, Erdoğan extended these personal congratulations to the Spanish team and the Spanish people. According to records from the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, the President highlighted the significance of the joy expressed by the people of Gaza, who watched the tournament amidst the devastation in the region. He stated that he found the celebration of the Gazan people, following Spain’s championship, to be especially valuable. Furthermore, Erdoğan noted that Spain’s conscientious and moral stance on the Palestinian issue resonated deeply with football fans globally.
The diplomatic exchange also looked toward future cooperation. Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction at hosting Sánchez during the recent NATO Ankara Summit. Looking toward the future, the President extended a formal invitation for the Prime Minister to visit Turkey again in early 2027 for the Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit, an invitation he stated he would be pleased to host.
NATO Ankara Summit Outcomes and Baltic Security
Beyond the celebratory tone of the Spain call, President Erdoğan’s conversation with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics focused on the strategic outcomes of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Prior to this, Erdoğan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had officially welcomed President Rinkevics to the Presidential Complex ahead of the North Atlantic Council meeting.
During the July 21 call, the leaders evaluated bilateral relations alongside regional and global security concerns. Erdoğan underscored Turkey’s commitment to the security of the Baltic region, noting that Turkey is intensifying its contributions within the NATO framework to ensure stability in the area. The discussion also touched upon deepening cooperation between Ankara and Riga, with a particular emphasis on the defense industry as a key area for potential development.
The diplomatic activity follows a period of intense focus on the NATO agenda. Erdoğan expressed his hope that the decisions reached during the historic NATO summit, where the spirit of solidarity among allies was clearly manifested, would serve the interests of the alliance. He emphasized that Turkey continues to increase its contributions to the bloc.
Clarification on Internal Domestic Matters
While the President conducted his international diplomacy, domestic news outlets have reported on unrelated legal developments involving public figures. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting an investigation into the Ahbap Association, which resulted in the detention of Haluk Levent. In a statement addressing the allegations, Levent admitted to personal financial errors and gambling debts, while explicitly requesting that his personal situation be decoupled from the charitable operations of the association.
In his statement, Levent said: Beni kişisel borçlarımla ve yaptığım hatalarla yargılayın, ancak Ahbap bağışlarını bu sürece dahil etmeyin.
He defended his record by claiming that he had not utilized a single cent of the donations made to the Ahbap Association for his own personal debts.
This domestic development remains distinct from the President’s recent international engagements. As of July 21, 2026, the primary focus of the government remains the implementation of the strategic decisions formalized during the NATO Ankara Summit and the strengthening of ties with key Mediterranean and Baltic partners.
Sources: Takvim, Anadolu Ajansı.
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