Erdogan urges world countries for joint efforts in combating COVID-19

ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday urged the world countries to exert immediate joint efforts to combat the outbreak of the COVID-19, local media reported.

"I invite all countries to participate in a fair fight against this global health crisis until all humanity breathes a sigh of relief," Erdogan was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu agency.

Addressing the G20 extraordinary virtual leaders' summit on COVID-19, Erdogan urged the world countries to share their experiences about controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Anadolu.

"We have to guide, take responsibility, and perform global cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic," he said via videoconferencing from Istanbul.

Noting that the coronavirus outbreak demonstrated the importance of cooperation and reconciliation sprit in G20, he said no country has the luxury of implementing protectionist and unilateral policies.

Erdogan also said that developing countries that have been experiencing difficulties in combating the outbreak might also need help.

Financial resources to provide humanitarian aid for war-stricken areas and communities at risk should be mobilized, he added.

Turkey's death toll from the coronavirus increased to 59 on Wednesday, as the number of confirmed cases climbed to 2,433.