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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, stressing that attempts to sabotage the ceasefire through attacks on Lebanon must not be allowed.
He also noted that Türkiye would continue contributing to the peace process, as both leaders called for the ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, and a diplomatic solution to the regional conflict.
According to a statement from Türkiye's Directorate of Communications, Erdogan told Macron that the diplomatic efforts Ankara supported alongside relevant countries played an important role in achieving the ceasefire.
Pointing to attacks on Lebanon, Erdogan stressed that attempts that could sabotage the ceasefire process must not be given an opportunity and that Türkiye would continue to contribute to the process.
Erdogan also said the process that began with attacks on Iran had negatively affected the whole world.
The Turkish president also told his French counterpart that launching the second phase of the Gaza peace plan was important and that the momentum achieved on this issue must not be lost, according to the statement.
In a post on X, Macron said the two leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and called for respect of the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon, as well as respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and underlined the necessity of a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.
The leaders also discussed Ukraine at length.
Macron said the two leaders addressed their joint work within the Coalition of the Willing to contribute to the search for a just and lasting peace that must conform to the principles of the UN Charter and be underpinned by robust security guarantees for Ukraine.
Macron noted the upcoming European Political Community Summit scheduled in Yerevan on May 4, reaffirming France's support for the peace dynamic in the South Caucasus, which he said must allow the region to open a new chapter with open borders and strengthened regional cooperation.
The two leaders also discussed developments in Syria and the search for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, according to the statement.
Erdogan said it would be beneficial to advance Türkiye-France relations further by exploring cooperation opportunities in all areas, particularly the defense industry.
Macron concluded his post by saying both leaders agreed on the need to continue deepening bilateral dialogue and cooperation.
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Israeli strikes on Lebanon, which began on March 2, reached their most intense level on April 8 when simultaneous bombardments were carried out across different parts of Lebanon without advance warning.
Lebanon's Health Ministry said the death toll from those strikes reached 357, with over 1,000 wounded.
Israel has carried out an expanded offensive in southern Lebanon since a Hezbollah cross-border attack on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.
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