UPDATE - Turkish President Erdogan meets European Council President Michel

UPDATES WITH EU COUNCIL HEAD MICHEL’S MESSAGE, MINOR EDITS

By Serkan Kaya

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday met Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.

Closed to the media, the meeting took place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre (LITEXPO) in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

Erdogan is in Vilnius to attend a NATO leaders’ summit on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 31 leaders of the military alliance are convening to discuss Ukraine war, Sweden's NATO membership, and steps to strengthen the group's defense and deterrence.

Michel on Twitter said they “explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Türkiye cooperation back to the forefront & re-energise our relations."

He added that the Council has asked the high representative, Josep Borell, and the European Commission to submit a report "with a view to proceed in strategic & forward-looking manner."

Michel said he also commended President Erdogan for “the central role Türkiye played in brokering and ensuring the Black Sea Grain Initiative.”

“We also discussed Sweden's accession to @NATO, also in view of improved EU-Türkiye relations.”

Earlier, the Turkish leader met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Before heading to Vilnius, Erdogan said he will urge the NATO summit to open a path for Ankara's EU accession so that Türkiye paves the way for Sweden's NATO membership.