• Source:JND
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Amid the tense diplomatic talks at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a lighthearted exchange that has since gone viral on social media.

In a brief yet candid interaction captured by Turkish media and widely circulated online, President Erdogan was seen greeting Meloni warmly before teasing her about her smoking habit. “I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking,” Erdogan was heard saying in a video aired by İhlas News Agency.

Standing nearby, French President Emmanuel Macron quickly chimed in, laughing and telling Erdogan, “It’s impossible!”, a remark that drew smiles from both leaders.

Meloni, visibly amused, responded with characteristic wit. “I know, I know. I don’t want to kill somebody,” she joked, referring to how quitting might make her irritable. The friendly banter brought a moment of levity amid the otherwise serious atmosphere of the international summit.

According to excerpts from a recent book of interviews, Meloni has previously admitted that smoking often helps her bond with global counterparts, including Tunisian President Kais Saied.

Erdogan’s Smoke-Free Türkiye Campaign

Erdogan, on the other hand, has been a longtime campaigner against tobacco use. Through Turkey’s “Smoke-Free Türkiye” initiative, his government is pursuing a 2024–2028 action plan aimed at reducing smoking rates, promoting cessation programs, and safeguarding youth from tobacco addiction. “We want a smoke-free future for our next generations,” Erdogan said earlier this year.

The exchange between Erdogan and Meloni took place on the sidelines of a high-profile summit attended by over two dozen world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions focused on consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza, rebuilding the war-torn territory, and charting a roadmap for lasting peace in the region.

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Adding to the lighter moments at the same event, President Trump made headlines for his comments about the Italian Prime Minister. Addressing the gathering, the 79-year-old leader praised Meloni, calling her “a beautiful young woman,” and joked that he might get in trouble for saying so.“I’m not allowed to say it because it’s the end of your political career if you do, but I’ll take my chances,” Trump remarked, turning toward Meloni. “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are.”Trump went on to describe her as “an incredible and respected leader in Italy,” drawing attention to her growing influence in European politics.

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The viral video and offbeat exchanges highlighted a rare side of global leaders, candid, humorous, and human. Despite the gravity of discussions on Gaza’s future, the informal banter between Erdogan, Meloni, Macron, and Trump reminded observers that diplomacy, at times, thrives on personal connection as much as policy.