Erdoğan holds high-level talks with Western leaders on sidelines of NATO summit in Brussels

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to attend the NATO Leaders' Summit.

President Erdoğan was accompanied by Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar.

A closed-door meeting between Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron began on Monday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels.

Erdoğan told reporters on Friday that the two countries "will have the opportunity to discuss the positive and negative aspects of Turkish-French relations."

MACRON WANTS TO 'MOVE FORWARD' WITH TURKEY TIES

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that he wants to "move forward" with Turkey toward a demanding and respectful relationship, after meeting with the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Both men talked Monday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels. It was their first meeting since the dispute between the two countries reached its peak in October after Erdoğan questioned Macron's mental health.

Macron said he wants all NATO allies to make a clear commitment to the military organization's values, principles and rules, according to the French presidency.

Both men discussed Libya and Syria issues, the Elysee said in a statement.

Macron also highlighted that France's secularism respects all religions, including Islam. The French presidency said a "clarification" was needed in response to the criticism of Macron's attitude toward Islam and Muslims.

ERDOĞAN, JOHNSON HOLD MEETING AT NATO SUMMIT

A closed-door meeting between Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson began on Monday during the ongoing NATO summit in Brussels.

MERKEL, ERDOĞAN SPEAK ON NATO SUMMIT SIDELINES

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.

Merkel and Erdoğan discussed Turkey's relationship with the European Union in the run-up to the European Council meeting on June 24, and the United Nations-led resolution on the Cyprus issue, the spokesperson added.