UPDATE - Türkiye, Latvia to strengthen defense industry cooperation: Turkish foreign minister

UPDATE REVISES DECK, ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER FIDAN, ALSO ADDS REMARKS FROM LATVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRAZE

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye and Latvia will strengthen their defense industry cooperation, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday.

"We will strengthen our cooperation in this field with tangible projects," Fidan said in a news conference alongside his Latvian counterpart Baiba Braze in Ankara.

Regarding the fight against terrorism, Fidan said: "Notably in the fight against FETO (terrorist organization), I would like to express once again our expectation for stronger cooperation and taking concrete steps."

He highlighted Türkiye's resolve to "decisively" continue its fight against the group involved in the 2016 defeated coup in the country.

FETO terrorist organization and its US-based ringleader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Türkiye, in which 252 people were killed, and 2,734 others wounded.

Gulen, 83, died at St. Luke's Hospital in the US state of Pennsylvania.

- Türkiye-EU relations

Expressing Ankara's appreciation for Riga's support of Türkiye's EU accession process, Fidan said membership in the 27-member bloc is a "strategic goal" for Türkiye.

Stressing that Türkiye has a political will to develop relations with the EU in a "constructive" and "result-oriented" manner, he underlined the expectation from the union to exhibit a clear attitude.

- Israel's attack in Gaza, Lebanon

Fidan also called for an end to Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon.

"Israel, by killing civilians, cannot reach peace and security," Fidan said, adding that the international community must support Palestinian efforts to establish their own state in their own land, to establish peace in Israel and the entire Middle East.

- Russia-Ukraine War

They also discussed the developments related to the Russia-Ukraine War, Fidan said, underlining Türkiye's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha held consultations on Monday, during which he expressed his country's desire to end the conflict as swiftly as possible, Fidan said.

He assured that Ankara supports all peace initiatives, emphasizing on-the-ground efforts that will be supported by negotiation processes.

Türkiye believes that international law should apply equally in the north and south of the world, he said.

- Economic cooperation

Fidan said they aim to increase mutual high-level visits in the coming period and as well as to develop and diversify economic cooperation.

The trade volume between the two countries has increased significantly in recent years, he pointed out, vowing that they will meet the $1 billion trade volume target, which they believe will be raised even higher in the near future.

Noting that they can further improve relations in many sectors, especially trade, investments, contracting and transportation, Fidan said that the Türkiye-Latvia Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) is an important mechanism in this regard and that they would like to organize the second meeting of the committee at the first opportunity.

Turkish companies are eager to invest more in Latvia, and the country will continue to encourage them, the Turkish foreign minister said, adding that some issues may arise from time to time and that he has discussed this with Braze.

Braze, for her part, praised Türkiye's role in NATO.

During her speech, Braze said she invited Fidan to Latvia, and he has accepted the invitation.

She expressed her satisfaction that high-level Turkish officials will attend the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, emphasizing the importance of preserving Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence while adhering to UN Charter principles.

- Cooperation opportunities

Braze emphasized the potential for further economic cooperation, adding that Latvia's Honorary Consulate in Istanbul aims to strengthen bilateral relations.

Thousands of Latvians visit Türkiye every year, the foreign minister said, asking for more people from Türkiye to visit her country.

She emphasized that the two countries could share ideas about fighting forest fires.

She also underscored the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism for national prosperity and security.