In a significant diplomatic engagement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened in Ankara on Friday to discuss strategies for combating terrorism and fostering stability in Syria. The meeting also highlighted the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
At a joint press conference, Fidan emphasized, \"Our priorities include ensuring stability in Syria and preventing the dominance of terrorist organizations such as IS (Islamic State) and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party).\" He underscored the strong alignment between Turkey and the United States in addressing regional challenges and explored comprehensive solutions to the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Fidan further stated, \"We agreed that a ceasefire in Gaza should be reached as soon as possible,\" signaling a unified stance on reducing conflict in the region.
Secretary Blinken acknowledged Turkey's pivotal role in influencing Hamas towards a hostage ceasefire agreement. He added, \"We discussed Gaza, and we discussed I think the opportunity … to get a ceasefire in place. And what we've seen in the last couple of weeks are more encouraging signs that that is possible.\" Blinken also highlighted the mutual commitment to ongoing efforts against the Islamic State.
Blinken's visit to Ankara followed a trip to Jordan, where he engaged in further regional discussions. Upon his arrival in Turkey, he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to deliberate on the situation in Syria, reinforcing the collaborative approach of both nations in addressing Middle Eastern stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
