Dialogue between countries in the region is better than pressure from outside," Erdogan said.

The three-day regional meeting in Istanbul is aimed at shaping solutions to the global economic crisis.

Nations in the region could likely find solutions to the Middle East conflict and tensions in Iraq by working together and without external pressure, Erdogan said, without naming the United States or the West.

He also called on European countries to be sincere in countering terrorism.

"Including the terrorist organization in the list of terrorist networks does not solve the problem," Erdogan said.