Presidents of both countries remarked positively on good bilateral relations built by Latvia and Turkey over time and underlined the need to significantly enhance the trade and tourism cooperation between the two countries as Coronavirus recedes.
Defence was also one of the key issues discussed by the heads of the two states. President Levits thanked President Erdoğan for Turkey’s contribution to Baltic Air Policing mission, which is very crucial for the common safety of the Baltic countries. According to President, Turkey is an important partner of Latvia in NATO and further steps towards enhancing security and defence policy cooperation are welcome. Presidents of both countries agreed to continue work on identifying areas of joint interest and enhanced cooperation, including mutual investments into defence technologies and equipment.
President Levits also stressed that Latvia supports continuation of negotiations with Turkey on its accession to the European Union (EU) once country has fulfilled all relevant criteria. ‘Turkey is one of the biggest partners of EU and a candidate country, therefore, dialogue and cooperation with it is of mutual interest to both,’ said Egils Levits.