UPDATE - Türkiye, US agree on importance of ending Gaza conflict: Turkish Foreign Ministry

ADSS REMARKS FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

By Emre Basaran

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye and the US agreed on the significance of finding a way to end the conflict in Gaza, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a joint statement Saturday.

It came after the seventh meeting of the US-Türkiye Strategic Mechanism in Washington.

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed the ongoing crisis in Gaza and reviewed their respective diplomatic engagements. They underlined the importance of finding a path towards ending the conflict and addressing the humanitarian crisis immediately. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a durable two-state solution,” said the statement, which was released after the meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken.

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan reiterated their commitment to a results-oriented, forward-looking, positive bilateral agenda that advances shared objectives and addresses emerging global challenges,” it said. “They discussed strengthening the US-Türkiye relationship on a wide range of issues, including regional priorities, counterterrorism, defense cooperation, economic growth, trade, energy security and climate change, and people-to-people ties.”

The statement said the countries relaunched the Türkiye-US Counterterrorism Consultations.

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan reiterated the need to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The United States and Türkiye relaunched the Türkiye-US Counterterrorism Consultations during the Strategic Mechanism to expand cooperation against terrorism and addressing related networks engaged in organized crime and drug trafficking, as threats to their respective national security,” the ministry said.

The statement said Blinken reiterated the US’ condemnation of “the PKK terrorist organization, DHKP-C, as well as ISIS/DAESH targeting Türkiye and Turkish interests.”

“The United States and Türkiye reiterated their shared commitment to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS/DAESH in Syria and Iraq and discussed cooperation to counter the threat of ISIS/DAESH and al-Qa'ida affiliates present in Africa and Central Asia,” said the ministry.

- Defense cooperation

The statement emphasized that Blinken and Fidan “discussed ways to bolster NATO coordination and solidarity in the face of current threats and challenges.

“They reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to collective defense as Allies, as well as to NATO’s Open Door Policy. As NATO’s two largest armed forces, both sides reiterated the importance of our commitments, as well as our renewed, two-way defense trade relationship to enhance capabilities, ensure interoperability and increase the strength of our collective security. The two ministers welcomed Sweden’s accession as the 32nd NATO Ally that will strengthen the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security,” it added.

“Looking forward, Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed opportunities to transform the U.S.-Türkiye security and defense relationship to build upon each country’s significant capabilities and innovation to meet strategic challenges and opportunities. In this regard, they announced the U.S.-Türkiye Defense Trade Dialogue would meet in 2024 and both countries would pursue opportunities to advance defense industrial cooperation,” said the joint statement.

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan appreciated the continuous growth in U.S.-Türkiye-bilateral trade, which has reached over 30 billion. They reaffirmed the importance of expanding economic and commercial cooperation and building upon existing bilateral fora—such as the Digital Dialogue, held on March 4 in Türkiye—to broaden and deepen our economic cooperation.”

The ministry added: “Türkiye, US affirm the importance of developing bilateral forums to improve and deepen economic cooperation.”

- Russia-Ukraine war

The statement said Blinken and Fidan “reiterated the support of the United States and Türkiye for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s unacceptable war.”

“The United States welcomed Türkiye’s efforts in the Black Sea, including the recently announced mine countermeasure task group and the facilitation of vital safe routes for grain and other international commerce,” it said.

It added that Blinken and Fidan discussed “all aspects of the Syrian crisis and reiterated the commitment of the United States and Türkiye to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Türkiye and the United States reiterated the importance of the repatriation of ISIS/DAESH affiliated detainees and displaced persons from northeast Syria to their countries of origin, where they can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities of origin, and, as appropriate, brought to justice.”

It also underlined that Blinken and Fidan “committed to work together to promote a balanced and lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and concurred that this would promote regional stability, cooperation, and welfare.”

“Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan also recognized people-to-people relations between the two countries as one of the pillars of the bilateral relationship,” the statement added.

“This year’s 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Türkiye Fulbright program is illustrative of this connection. The two sides acknowledged the 2021 Cultural Property Agreement through which 72 Turkish cultural and historic artifacts have been returned to Türkiye since the Agreement’s entry into force as a reference point for the strength of our partnership,” it said.