TurkishJournal – Enes Kılıç –
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in D.C on March 10, 2024, to discuss a wide range of issues and establish a strategic mechanism on key areas of cooperation.
The two ministers agreed to reestablish the Turkey-U.S. Counterterrorism Consultations and Blinken reiterated the U.S.’s condemnation of terrorist organizations targeting Turkey and Turkish interests, including the PKK, DHKP-C, and ISIS. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to the permanent defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Fidan and Blinken also discussed the Syrian crisis in detail, emphasizing the need for a lasting political solution. They exchanged views on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and stressed the importance of maintaining stability and communication channels.
In the defense realm, the two ministers highlighted the importance of the re-established two-way defense trade relationship to enhance collective security. They announced that the 2024 Turkey-U.S. Defense Trade Dialogue will be held to explore opportunities to advance defense industry cooperation.
Fidan and Blinken welcomed the continued growth of bilateral trade between Turkey and the U.S., which has surpassed $30 billion. They reaffirmed the importance of developing existing bilateral forums, such as the Digital Dialogue held in Turkey on March 4, to broaden and deepen economic cooperation.
On the South Caucasus, Fidan and Blinken pledged to work together to promote a balanced and lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, agreeing that such an agreement would foster regional stability, cooperation, and prosperity.
They also discussed the ongoing crisis in Gaza, assessing diplomatic efforts and emphasizing the importance of finding a way to end the conflict and address the humanitarian crisis immediately. Furthermore, they reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution.
Regarding the Ukraine-Russia war, Fidan and Blinken reiterated Turkey’s and the U.S.’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s unacceptable war.
The United States welcomed Turkey’s efforts in the Black Sea, including the recently announced Mine Countermeasures Task Force, to facilitate safe routes critical for grain shipments and other international trade.
Fidan is expected to head to Tokyo, Seoul, and New Delhi in the coming days ahead.
