ANKARA

Turkey's ties with different regions and countries are not alternative to each other but complement each other, Turkish president said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting of NATO Council and NATO Mediterranean Dialogue partners in Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled that 2019 was the 25th anniversary of Mediterranean Dialogue, 70th anniversary of NATO and 67th anniversary of Turkey's joining of the alliance.

"Our country will also take over the command of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2021," the Turkish president said.

Erdogan said Turkey would maintain its strong position within NATO and also take the steps required by its national interests, regional security and stability.

"Turkey's ties with different regions and countries are not alternative to each other but complement each other," he underlined.

He also said that Turkey expected NATO allies to "act in accordance with the spirit of alliance and protect its founding values."