UPDATE - Erdogan, Trump discuss bilateral, regional issues

ADDS STATEMENT FROM KALIN

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump discussed bilateral and regional issues in a telephone conversation on Thursday, according to the Turkish presidency.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told Anadolu Agency: “Our president held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Trump.

"Bilateral and regional issues were discussed during the conversation.”

Later on Thursday in a statement, Kalin said both leaders agreed to continue collaboration for common strategic goals and resolve issues which negatively affect bilateral relations.

“The importance of strengthening relations between the two NATO allies and strategic partners was discussed,” said Kalin.