Turkey will support Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's candidacy for the position of NATO secretary general, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported on Monday citing government sources.
Rutte met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Friday.
In a joint press conference, Rutte emphasized that NATO's southern flank needs Turkey and that the country has an important role to play.
Erdoğan said the next head of NATO should continue current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's work to lift export restrictions on the defence industry between member states.
Rutte needs the approval of all 32 members of the alliance to secure the position. Romanian President Klaus Johannis is also running.
Stoltenberg's term ends in October.