2020 busy year for Turkey's Erdoğan despite COVID-19 pandemic
As part of a busy working period in 2020, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid 13 visits to abroad, with Qatar and Azerbaijan been hot spots for the Turkish leader as he traveled to these countries twice each.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 03:22 | 30 December 2020
- Modified Date: 03:43 | 30 December 2020
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan 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, Erdoğan paid 13 visits to 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, Erdoğan's overseas visits came to a halt for a while due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On July 2, Erdoğan 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.
Erdoğan'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
Erdoğan 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 Erdoğan.
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.
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