UPDATE - Turkish foreign minister holds talks with senior US diplomat

ADDS REMARKS OF US UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday held talks with US Under Secretary of State John Bass, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry did not share further information about the closed-door meeting held in the capital Ankara with Bass, who in 2014-2017 served as US ambassador to Türkiye.

Bass is on a two-day visit to Türkiye at the invitation of Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar to discuss bilateral and global issues.

During his visit, Bass will meet senior Turkish government officials to “build on the momentum of the successful March 7-8 meeting of the U.S.-Türkiye Strategic Mechanism in Washington," according to a State Department statement released last week.

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Ukraine war, and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington will also be on the agenda.

- Türkiye 'key' ally, partner

After meeting with Fidan, Bass said on X that Türkiye is a "key" ally and partner with whom the US communicates and cooperates on the most important regional and global issues.

Bass said he discussed with Fidan "the critical importance of the safety of civilians and aid workers in Gaza, support for Ukraine’s democracy and freedom, deepening counterterrorism cooperation, and how NATO makes us all more secure and united."

According to Turkish diplomatic sources, preparations for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to the US were also discussed.

They also exchanged views on energy issues and the fight against terrorist organizations, including the PKK/YPG, Daesh/ISIS, and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the sources added.

In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

FETO and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Türkiye, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.