2020 busy year for Turkish president amid pandemic

Although COVID-19 interrupted many face-to-face events, Recep Tayyip Erdogan spent yet another busy working year

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has gone through a busy working period in 2020 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, holding face-to-face or virtual events throughout the year.

According to an examination of data, Erdogan paid 13 visits abroad, with Qatar and Azerbaijan been hot spots for the president as he traveled to these countries twice each.

The president visited Germany at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed developments in Libya. He also visited Algeria, Gambia, Senegal, Ukraine and Pakistan.

Turkish leader visited Russia on March 5 and was in Brussels on March 9 at the invitation of European Council President Charles Michel. After his Brussels’ visit, Erdogan's overseas visits came to a halt for a while due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On July 2, Erdogan paid a visit to Qatar and was in Kuwait on Oct.7.

- Historic visits

The president paid a visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Nov. 15 to attend its republic day ceremony. He also attended the partial opening of Maras district that remained closed for nearly five decades.

Erdogan's last visit abroad was to Azerbaijan on Dec. 9-10, following the country's victory against occupying Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Turkish president participated in Azerbaijan’s victory parade as the guest of honor.

- Guests

Erdogan hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the opening ceremony of TurkStream on Jan. 8.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited Turkey to attend Turkey-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Feb 19-20.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Turkey on Oct. 16 for a working visit, and Ersin Tatar, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, held his first foreign visit to Turkey on Oct. 26 at the invitation of Erdogan.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was in Turkey on Nov. 26 to co-chair the sixth meeting of the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas

Kaynak: