Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday encouraged reviving Trkiye's European Union membership process during a meeting with top EU officials on the margins of a NATO summit in Ankara, according to Trkiye's Communications Directorate.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan received European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who were in Ankara for the NATO Leaders Summit, the directorate said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal. The meeting addressed Trkiye-EU relations as well as regional and global issues, it added.

Erdogan expressed Ankara's openness to increasing contacts at all levels and emphasized the need to revitalize its EU membership process, which includes activating relevant mechanisms and initiating necessary meetings. He highlighted Trkiye's longstanding status as an EU candidate country and its significant role in the Customs Union, noting that past developments have positioned Trkiye as a major production hub in Europe.

The integrated economic structure between Trkiye and Europe enhances the continent's global competitiveness, Erdogan stated, while also asserting Trkiye's expectation to be included in upcoming EU regulations on trade and investment. Furthermore, Erdogan discussed Trkiye's contributions to European security and urged for steps aligned with NATO's law of alliance.

The meeting also touched upon Trkiye's diplomatic efforts to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US-Iran war, and regional tensions, particularly Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as other recent developments. Prior to the meeting, Erdogan hosted Costa and von der Leyen at a working dinner as part of his diplomatic engagements during the summit held at the presidential complex.