Ankara, Türkiye – In a significant diplomatic engagement on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Ankara to discuss pressing regional issues, including combating terrorism, ensuring stability in Syria, and the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Our priorities include ensuring stability in Syria and preventing the dominance of terrorist organizations such as IS and the PKK,” Fidan stated during a joint press conference. He emphasized the strong alignment between Türkiye and the United States in addressing key challenges in the region. “We agreed that a ceasefire in Gaza should be reached as soon as possible,” he added, underlining the humanitarian urgency.
Blinken acknowledged Türkiye’s influential role in the Middle East, particularly in facilitating dialogues with Hamas to reach a hostage ceasefire agreement. “There’s broad agreement on expectations for the interim government in Syria – one that is inclusive, protects minority rights, rejects extremism, and poses no threats to its neighbors,” he said.
The discussions also highlighted the ongoing commitment of both nations to counter-IS efforts. “We discussed Gaza and the opportunity to get a ceasefire in place. What we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks are more encouraging signs that this is possible,” Blinken remarked, expressing optimism about recent developments.
Blinken’s visit to Ankara followed his trip to Jordan, reflecting the U.S.’s active engagement in Middle Eastern affairs. Upon his arrival on Thursday, he held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, focusing on the complex situation in Syria.
The meeting between Fidan and Blinken underscores the collaborative efforts between Türkiye and the United States to foster stability and peace in a region fraught with tension and conflict. Their joint commitment to counter-terrorism and humanitarian efforts signals a strengthened partnership aimed at addressing some of the most critical challenges facing the Middle East today.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
