Turkey pleased by Trump's approach: President Erdogan

By Meltem Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is pleased by the way U.S. Donald Trump is approaching things, and would like a sit-down meeting to discuss the bilateral partnership, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday, calling the U.S. and Turkey allies.

“The way President Trump is approaching matters is encouraging, makes us happy,” Erdogan told CNN International in an exclusive interview.

“We are going to sit down and determine a roadmap as two strategic partners, the United States and Turkey, as allies, as important countries in NATO, we believe that we can resolve significant problems,” he added.

"Therefore we do not have any difficulties on that front," Erdogan said.

Asked about Trump’s telephone call to congratulate Erdogan on his victory in the weekend historic referendum, in which a majority of Turkish voters voted in favor of constitutional changes, Erdogan recalled that it took place amid Easter celebrations, and added that he hopes for "a face-to-face meeting and to take ahead, take forward our relationship."

“We agreed we will have that meeting in due course,” he added.

The constitutional changes move Turkey from a parliamentary system of government to a presidential one.

According to presidential sources, the leaders also discussed cooperation on Syria and against terrorism as well as the Assad regime's chemical attack earlier this month that killed some 100 civilians.

Trump also thanked Turkey for supporting for U.S. missile strikes on an Assad regime air base in retaliation for the chemical attack, and both men stressed the need for cooperation in the fight against terror groups, including Daesh.