Erdogan And Austrian Chancellor Stocker Highlight Expanded Türkiye-Austria Cooperation In Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker highlighted potential for expanding bilateral cooperation during a joint press conference in Ankara after Erdogan met Stocker, who was making his first visit to Türkiye since becoming chancellor.

“Erdogan said the two sides discussed all aspects of bilateral relations”

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Erdogan said the two sides discussed Türkiye-EU ties and regional and global developments, and he pointed to cooperation potential in green energy, critical minerals, high technology, transportation and defense industries.

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Stocker said economic and social relations provide the foundation for close cooperation between the two countries and highlighted opportunities to expand economic ties through cross-border railway projects.

The talks also included discussion of Türkiye’s relationship with the European Union, with Erdogan urging steps on modernizing the Customs Union and advancing visa liberalization talks.

At the joint press conference in Ankara, Erdogan urged the European Union to modernize its customs union with Türkiye and advance visa liberalization talks, saying progress would benefit all sides.

Erdoğan told the chancellor, "I stressed to the chancellor that steps by the EU, particularly on modernizing the Customs Union and advancing the visa liberalization dialogue, would be in all our interests," and he tied the push to Türkiye-EU interests.

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Erdogan also said bilateral trade reached about $4.5 billion in 2025 and the two countries aim to raise the figure to $5 billion this year, while noting that more than 1,000 Austrian companies operate in Türkiye.

Stocker described Türkiye as a key country for Austria and the EU on security and migration, and he said the two countries cooperated closely against irregular migration, human trafficking and organized crime.

Erdogan and Stocker also discussed economic and strategic cooperation tied to the Middle Corridor, with Erdogan saying they could implement strategic cooperation to strengthen the Middle Corridor.

“"Together with Austria, we can implement strategic cooperation to strengthen the Middle Corridor,"”

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Erdogan said, "Together with Austria, we can implement strategic cooperation to strengthen the Middle Corridor," while Stocker praised Türkiye’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and said, "We appreciate Türkiye and your personal efforts on this matter,".

The leaders discussed regional issues including Syria, Gaza, Ukraine and the Balkans, with Erdogan saying Türkiye remained committed to Syria’s territorial integrity and a two-state solution while calling for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Stocker said Russia’s war against Ukraine must end and praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts, while Erdogan said Türkiye and Austria attach great importance to maintaining stability in the Balkans.