The First Minister asked, "Why wouldn't we want a NATO ally here?"
Scotland's First Minister has justified asking Turkey's president to visit, saying the two nations are "on a journey" in terms of human rights.
Humza Yousaf briefly met Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Cop28 UN climate meeting in Dubai last year, incurring the ire of the Foreign Office because a UK diplomat was not there.
According to meeting minutes provided to the Herald under request of information legislation, the First Minister "invited RTE to visit Scotland during a future visit to the UK".
The meeting received criticism from within the First Minister's own party at the time, with SNP councillor Roza Salih stating that she "did not expect this from an FM who says he respects human rights" on Turkey's treatment of Kurds.
Mr Yousaf defended the offer during a press conference following First Minister's Questions on Thursday.
"I said the next time he's in the United Kingdom, he should come up to Scotland," he went on to say.
"Turkey is a Nato ally, why would we not wish to have a Nato ally here?"
When asked if he would mention recorded violations of human rights by Mr Erdogan's administration against Kurds during any future visit, the First Minister responded: "Yes, I would highlight human rights, as I do anytime I meet with international leaders.
"But I should say, of course, we do that in a way that also recognises that we're on a human rights journey, as are other countries."
Weeks after the Cop28 meeting and another summit in Turkey attended by the First Minister's wife Nadia El-Nakla, which brought together the wives of world political leaders, her sister-in-law and her small children were granted asylum in Turkey after leaving Gaza.
A spokeswoman for the First Minister told media at a briefing on Thursday that he did not feel the invitation was "connected" to Ms El-Nakla's family being permitted to travel to Turkey.
Following Mr Yousaf's meeting with Mr Erdogan, which was characterized as "warm and friendly" in the minutes, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron scolded the Scottish Government for not having a Foreign Office staff present.
Lord Cameron went so far as to threaten to withhold cooperation from Scottish ministers traveling abroad, adding, "I remain open to discussing a constructive way forward."
"However, any subsequent violations of the procedure for ministerial meetings with an FCDO representative present would result in no further FCDO facilitation or logistical support.
"We will also need to consider the presence of Scottish Government offices in UK Government posts."
The Humanist Society Scotland objected to the offer, with chief executive Fraser Sutherland saying: "This is a very short-sighted invitation from the First Minister." Under President Erdogan, Turkey has experienced a prolonged assault on civil freedoms and human rights.
"Allegations of torture against political prisoners are widespread and the Turkish government censors and blocks webpages of news websites that are critical of the governing party."
He said, "Erdogan is an authoritarian ruler.
"He should not be welcomed to Bute House by this First Minister or any who follow him."
A UK Government official stated, "Foreign affairs is reserved under the Scotland Act, and in such tumultuous times, the need for the UK to speak on the global arena with one consistent voice is more vital than ever.
"Our embassies and high commissions overseas have a strong track record of working collaboratively with the Scottish Government to promote the interests of the whole UK."
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