Ankara / Anadolu

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the European Union's defense efforts should complement NATO.

He made the remarks during his meeting with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in the capital Ankara on Thursday, according to a statement from Turkey's Presidential Communications Directorate.

The meeting came a day after Pellegrini participated in the 36th NATO summit hosted by Turkey at the presidential complex in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The communications directorate reported that the two presidents discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.

It noted that Erdogan emphasized the need to intensify efforts to achieve Turkey and Slovakia's goals in trade and investment.

It added that Erdogan stressed the importance of strengthening the European pillar within NATO.

Erdogan stated that his country is making efforts to end the wars in Iran and Ukraine through diplomatic means, and continues to work intensively to establish calm and stability in the Gaza Strip and end the humanitarian catastrophe.