Erdogan, Trump agree on 'close cooperation' in virus crisis

ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Trump have spoken on the phone, discussing the coronavirus pandemic, bilateral relations and regional developments.

According to an account of the phone call shared by the Turkish presidency’s office Sunday, the leaders agreed to continue their “close cooperation” against the threats posed by the coronavirus on public health and the economy. This would be a “necessity of the spirit of solidarity required by being NATO allies,” the message said.

The leaders also spoke on the phone at the end of March.

The U.S. has the highest number of covid-19 infections in the world, and Turkey now ranks seventh, according to Johns Hopkins University’s data. They have both surpassed China, where covid-19 emerged, the figures show.

Turkey’s health minister said a total of 2,017 people have died of the coronavirus in the country, with 127 new deaths in the last 24 hours. Fahrettin Koca, in figures tweeted Sunday, said 3,977 new infections were confirmed in the past day, bringing the total to 86,306.

Confirmed cases in Turkey have surpassed the rates in neighboring Iran, according to John Hopkins University’s data.

The minister also said 11,976 people have recovered in Turkey, including 1,523 in the past 24 hours.

A weekend lockdown in 31 Turkish provinces is nearing its end, after which people between 20 and 65 can move around. But the government has urged people to stay at home and hopes the rate of infections will reach its peak in the coming days.