(MENAFN) According to reports, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Monday that his talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Ankara largely centered on strengthening collaborative efforts within the defense sector. During their joint appearance before the media, he noted ongoing coordination between the two governments’ relevant agencies regarding the creation of a clean power facility.

He emphasized the significance of an earlier agreement, saying “I see the memorandum of understanding signed earlier between the Korea Electric Power Corporation and the Turkish Nuclear Energy Corporation as an important step. We are also in agreement with South Korea regarding counterterrorism.”

As stated by reports, Erdoğan explained that their discussions spanned a wide range of fields, such as commerce, tourism, energy, technological development, defense cooperation, and new investment opportunities. Both sides also affirmed their intention to keep working together within global and regional platforms, including the UN, G20, and MIKTA.

Erdoğan highlighted emerging areas where the two nations can expand collaboration, pointing to artificial intelligence, semiconductor production, battery technologies, and renewable energy. He referenced recently reached agreements involving wind energy projects and joint work on blood plasma initiatives. He also welcomed Hyundai’s latest electric vehicle investment in İzmit and restated Türkiye’s readiness to further support South Korean companies seeking to operate in the country.

According to the statements, the Turkish president stressed that Ankara and Seoul maintain aligned positions on counterterrorism and continue advancing joint defense programs, such as progress related to the Altay tank. He also spoke positively of President Lee’s personal background, noting that Lee, who assumed office in June, earned the respect of the Korean public despite facing difficulties early in life. Erdoğan added that the visit marked a meaningful moment, as it was the first visit by a South Korean leader to Türkiye in many years and further solidified the partnership between the two states.

Erdoğan said Türkiye sees room for broader cooperation with Seoul in various parts of the world, including Iraq, African nations, Central Asia, and in rebuilding efforts in Syria and Gaza.

He noted that the two countries share similar positions on developments in Gaza, supporting the protection of civilians, the preservation of the ceasefire, and the pursuit of a two-state solution.

He again stressed that achieving a just and lasting peace requires establishing a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and renewed his call to “all friendly, brotherly, and allied countries" that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so.

Reports added that Ankara welcomed Seoul’s formal renewal of diplomatic relations with Syria earlier in the year.

On the topic of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye will continue its diplomatic push to promote “lasting peace” in Ukraine, particularly through the Istanbul negotiation track. He said that Türkiye’s approach—calling for an end to hostilities and encouraging both sides to engage in diplomacy—remains unchanged.

Erdoğan expressed appreciation for Lee’s visit and extended warm regards to the South Korean people. After the press event, he hosted a dinner in Lee’s honor, attended by Turkish veterans who fought in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.

For his part, Lee stated that the strategic alliance between the two nations “will grow even stronger and be passed on to future generations.” Earlier in the day, Erdoğan welcomed him with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex, after which the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting and later chaired a broader session with their delegations.

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