NEW: #PopeLeoXIV's speech in #Turkiye following meeting with President Erdoğan: - few words on specific global issues but.. - we are all children of God, we should honor diversity in a world of polarisation - May Türkiye be a source of stability and rapprochement among people

NEW: Heavy diplomatic traffic btw #Turkiye + #Germany in past 6 weeks. Turkish FM Fidan in Germany today, after: - Chancellor Merz in Turkiye last month 👇 - German FM Wadephul in Ankara Oct 17 Major developments on #Ukraine to discuss, keenness for defense + energy cooperation

NEW: Explicit comments from #Germany's Foreign Minister Wadephul today that #Turkiye should be in EU's defence procurement scheme SAFE: - military strength should be increased, both UK and Turkiye should be involved - Turkiye is a NATO ally we can trust #defence #Ukraine 🇹🇷🇩🇪

NEW: Russia's Head of Foreign Intelligence Sergey Naryshkin was in #Turkiye yesterday to talk about #Ukraine and Trump's 28-point plan Little reported on Thursday but his visit mentioned today by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Negotiations continue.

NEW:Some reasons for increased #Turkiye-#Germany diplomatic traffic: 1) 1st Germany-Türkiye Strategic Dialogue to be held early next year after 10-year+ hiatus. Formed in 2013, discusses: - #EU, terrorism, international security, regional + international problems 🇹🇷🇩🇪🇪🇺

NEW: #Turkiye voices concern at attacks by #Ukraine's naval drones on two tankers in the Black Sea, says they happened In its Exclusive Economic Zone Turkish statement doesn't name who was responsible, although was later confirmed via Reuters from a Ukrainian official

NEW: Announced today during meeting of #Turkiye and #Iran's Foreign Ministers in Tehran: - Iranian consulate to open in Van - new border gates - at least one more - to open - Turkish and Iranian rail networks to be integrated 🇹🇷🇮🇷