President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva discussed bilateral relations and regional and global developments in a phone call, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said Monday.

Erdoğan welcomed the continued development of relations between Türkiye and Brazil, saying ties that were elevated to an advanced level two decades ago have continued to strengthen.

The Turkish president said deepening cooperation in a broad range of areas, particularly investment, trade and the defense industry, would benefit both countries, according to the statement.

Erdoğan also emphasized the potential for stronger economic ties between Ankara and Brasilia amid growing protectionist tendencies in the global economy.

He said he believed Türkiye and Brazil could develop a model of economic cooperation that would increase the prosperity of both countries while countering protectionist trends.

The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues.

Erdoğan said Türkiye and Brazil’s policies prioritizing peace in addressing regional and international challenges contributed to global peace.

Türkiye and Brazil have sought to expand bilateral economic and political relations in recent years while also cooperating through multilateral platforms on international issues.