On November 6, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ankara, Turkey.
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Turkish and U.S. officials held comprehensive talks on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as various bilateral issues at a meeting in Washington, Turkey’s foreign minister said late Friday.
NATO allies launched the meeting, called strategic mechanismThursday to discuss efforts to transcend deep policy differences and improve cooperation in other areas.
Relations between the two allies have become strained in recent years amid growing disagreements over a range of issues, although relations have since improved momentum After Ankara approved Sweden’s membership of NATO.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said officials from the two countries have held multiple rounds of discussions on topics such as Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, defense industry cooperation, energy and counter-terrorism.
“Right now, especially considering that we have reached this point, with a renewed mindset and a more positive agenda, we have the opportunity to continue on our path and turn a new page,” he told Turkish media in Washington.
“While solving the problems we face now, it is important to recognize the mutual potential that both countries can create and the opportunities it brings,” he said.
Fidan said he reiterated Turkey’s view that Gaza needs an immediate and lasting ceasefire and stressed that countries need to do more to mitigate the humanitarian disaster and pave the way for a two-state solution.
He also discussed ways to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with U.S. Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and reiterated Ankara’s belief that now is the time to discuss it. path towards a end But Türkiye does not see this willingness from Kiev and Moscow.
“We need a basis for dialogue to stop this war and prevent a more serious crisis through dialogue, and we call for that,” Fidan said.
The allies remain divided over a range of issues, such as Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 defense system and resulting U.S. sanctions, which led to Turkey withdrawing from the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey is also deeply concerned about U.S. support for Syrian Kurdish militants, whom Ankara considers terrorists.
Fidan said Turkey maintained its position on Syria and the F-35, saying Ankara, as the manufacturer, was responsible for payment and work on the jets. He said Turkey was willing to discuss the matter but Washington needed to “keep an open mind.”
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