Live News: Biden and Erdoğan discuss bilateral relations in ‘First Step’ meeting

US President Joe Biden discussed bilateral ties with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and praised his decision to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO in a meeting at the military alliance’s summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

According to the White House, the leaders discussed their defense and economic priorities and their support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and shared interests such as “preserving stability in the Aegean”.

In remarks before the meeting, the Turkish leader said the meeting with Biden was a “first step” in ties between the nations.

“Earlier our meetings were just a warm-up, but now we are starting a new process,” he said.