Discussions Held Between Turkey and the US on Stability in Syria and Ceasefire in Gaza
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Ankara, Dec 13 (NationPress) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Friday to address issues related to fighting terrorism and establishing stability in Syria. They emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
During a joint press conference in Ankara, Fidan articulated, "Our priorities include ensuring stability in Syria and preventing the influence of terrorist organizations such as IS (Islamic State) and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party)."
He highlighted the synergy between the two nations in tackling significant regional challenges, mentioning that their discussions revolved around finding solutions to the ongoing crisis in Syria and other broader regional concerns, according to reports from Xinhua.
"We reached a consensus that a ceasefire in Gaza must happen without delay," Fidan stated.
Blinken acknowledged Turkey's influence in facilitating a hostage ceasefire agreement with Hamas, underlining that there is widespread agreement regarding the expectations for the interim government in Syria—one that should be inclusive, respect minority rights, reject extremism, and not pose threats to neighboring countries.
The two leaders reiterated their dedication to the continuous efforts against IS.
Blinken arrived in Ankara on Thursday after visiting Jordan, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the situation in Syria.
This visit occurs at a pivotal moment for Syria, as a new transitional government assumes authority following al-Assad's departure to Russia for asylum.
Turkey has raised long-standing concerns regarding the involvement of Kurdish factions in Syria, perceiving the US-supported Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units as an offshoot of the prohibited Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Turkey has fought against for decades.
Blinken's regional itinerary also includes a visit to Jordan, where he is anticipated to engage with officials in Aqaba to foster consensus on Syria's future and discuss other urgent issues across the Middle East, as stated by the US State Department on Wednesday.
