UPDATE - Türkiye, Austria willing to enhance ties: President Erdogan

ADDS REMARKS BY TURKISH PRESIDENT, AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR; BACKGROUND

By Diyar Guldogan

Ankara and Vienna have agreed to enhance relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

"We have a common will to further develop our relations," Erdogan said at a news conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

The first visit from Austria at the chancellor level in 22 years is historic, said Erdogan.

Turning to the fight against terrorism, Erdogan said: "International cooperation and common will are essential in the fight against terrorism. We expect closer cooperation from Austria on this matter."

About Ankara's EU membership process, Erdogan said it is known that Türkiye is sincere in advancing their relations together.

"The integration of Europe will be completed only with Türkiye's full membership in the union. We will not accept any alternative but full membership," he stressed.

Türkiye applied for EU membership in 1987 and has been a candidate country since 1999.

Negotiations for full membership started in October 2005 but have stalled in recent years due to political hurdles erected by some countries.

Regarding economic ties with Austria, Erdogan said the two countries want to reach a trade volume of $5 billion.

"Austria's direct investments in Türkiye have reached $11 billion. Türkiye's direct investments in Austria are $716 million. It is also a good incentive for the chancellor to participate in today's business forum and provide direct contact with our business people,” he said.

Nehammer said Austria wants to establish intense economic cooperation with Türkiye. "We attach great importance to this. Türkiye is a reliable partner for Austria in every respect," he said.

"We need to revitalize our relations with Türkiye even more. Türkiye is truly an extraordinary economic partner,” said Nehammer. “We are open to this cooperation both in terms of industry and trade and we want to develop it.”

Nehammer said he was impressed by the creativity of industry in Türkiye and the progress the country has made in research.

He also hailed Erdogan's efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.