Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed bilateral ties, NATO-Europe cooperation, and regional developments during talks on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the closed-door meeting at the Presidential Complex focused on Turkish-German relations, as well as regional and global issues, according to a statement by Trkiye's Communications Directorate. Erdogan emphasized that advancing cooperation between Trkiye and Germany in fields such as the defense industry and trade would benefit both nations.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the "transatlantic bond" while reinforcing NATO's European pillar. Erdogan noted that Trkiye could support EU defense initiatives, provided they complement NATO.

Regarding regional developments, Erdogan urged all parties to act cautiously against any actions that could undermine the understanding reached between Iran and the US, asserting that Trkiye would continue working towards lasting peace. He also extended an invitation to Merz to visit Trkiye in November.

The meeting occurred on the second day of the NATO summit, which gathered leaders from the 32-member alliance and partner countries to discuss topics such as Europe's defense capabilities, defense spending targets, military modernization, and continued support for Ukraine.

The Ankara summit marked the second NATO summit hosted by Trkiye, following the 2004 Istanbul summit, and offered a platform for bilateral meetings on political, security, and economic cooperation between Trkiye and allied countries.