Joint statement from Turkey and the US: Counter-terrorism consultations relaunched

The joint statement regarding the matter, shared on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted the following:

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken co-chaired the seventh meeting of the Turkey-US Strategic Mechanism held in Washington on March 7-8, 2024.

Within the scope of the Strategic Mechanism, open, collaborative, and strategic discussions were held on March 7 with the participation of senior officials from the Turkish and US Ministries of Foreign Affairs, followed by a meeting between Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken on March 8.

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken reiterated their commitment to a results-oriented, forward-looking, and positive bilateral agenda that allows for the advancement of shared goals and the addressing of emerging global challenges.

The two Ministers discussed strengthening Turkey-US relations in various areas, including regional priorities, counter-terrorism, defense cooperation, economic growth, trade, energy security, climate change, and people-to-people ties.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken reiterated the support of Turkey and the US for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's unacceptable war. The United States welcomes Turkey's efforts in the Black Sea, including the recently announced Mine Countermeasures Task Group and the facilitation of safe routes vital for grain shipments and other international trade.

ONGOING CRISIS IN GAZA

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken discussed the ongoing crisis in Gaza and evaluated their diplomatic activities. The parties emphasized the importance of finding a way to end the conflict and immediately addressing the humanitarian crisis, and reaffirmed their commitment to a lasting two-state solution.

COUNTER-TERRORISM

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken reiterated that terrorism must be combated in all its forms and manifestations. Within the scope of the Strategic Mechanism, Turkey and the US have relaunched the Turkey-US Counter-Terrorism Consultations to increase cooperation against terrorism that poses a threat to their national security and to address networks involved in organized crime and drug trafficking.

Secretary Blinken reiterated that the US condemns the PKK, DHKP-C, and ISIS, which are terrorist organizations targeting Turkey and Turkish interests. Turkey and the US reaffirmed their shared determination to permanently defeat ISIS in Syria and Iraq and discussed cooperation against the threat posed by ISIS and Al-Qaeda-affiliated organizations in Africa and Central Asia.

SYRIA CRISIS

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken discussed the Syria crisis in all its aspects and reiterated the commitment of Turkey and the US to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Turkey and the US reiterated the importance of repatriating ISIS-affiliated detainees and displaced persons in northeastern Syria to their countries of origin, where they can be rehabilitated, reintegrated into their own societies, and brought to justice as appropriate.

The two sides also addressed broader issues regarding the Middle East and Africa, including the need to build regional stability and connectivity through increased economic and security cooperation.

SITUATION IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and communication channels. Secretary Blinken welcomed the ongoing contacts between Turkey and Greece, including the Fifth High-Level Cooperation Council held in Athens in December 2023 and the signing of the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighborliness.

PROMOTING LASTING PEACE BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Regarding the South Caucasus, Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken committed to working together to promote a balanced and lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, agreeing that such an agreement would promote regional stability, cooperation, and prosperity.

NATO SUMMIT

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken discussed ways to strengthen coordination and solidarity within NATO in the face of current threats and challenges ahead of the 75th NATO Summit to be held in Washington. The two Ministers reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to collective defense and NATO's Open Door Policy as Allies.

As the two largest armed forces of NATO, both sides reiterated the importance of the re-established two-way defense trade relationship to develop capabilities, ensure interoperability, and increase the strength of collective security, in addition to commitments.

The two Ministers welcomed Sweden's accession to the organization as the 32nd NATO ally and the fact that this accession will strengthen the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Looking ahead, Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken discussed opportunities to transform the Turkey-US security relationship in a way that enhances both countries' significant capabilities and technological innovations to deal with strategic challenges and opportunities. In this context, the two Ministers announced that the Turkey-US Defense Trade Dialogue meeting will be held in 2024 and that the two countries will evaluate opportunities to advance defense industry cooperation.

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken expressed their satisfaction that Turkey-US bilateral trade has continued to grow, exceeding 30 billion Dollars. The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of developing existing bilateral forums, such as the Digital Dialogue held in Turkey on March 4, to expand and deepen economic cooperation.

The two sides discussed leveraging financing opportunities under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to set high standards for infrastructure in developing countries. The parties declared their support for the Energy and Climate Dialogue, which will be launched under the co-chairmanship of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey and the US Department of Energy, with the participation of the Turkish and US Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE DIALOGUE

The Energy and Climate Dialogue will enhance cooperation in the fields of energy security, energy transition, and climate change in both countries. The parties acknowledged the growing importance of civil nuclear energy, including conventional and Small Modular Reactors developed in accordance with the highest safety, security, and non-proliferation standards, especially in light of net-zero goals, and encouraged Turkish and US public and private sectors to explore cooperation opportunities and develop concrete proposals in this area.

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken also recognized people-to-people relations as one of the fundamental pillars of bilateral relations. The US-Turkey Fulbright program, which marks its 75th anniversary this year, is a testament to this bond.

The parties acknowledged the return of 72 Turkish cultural and historical artifacts to Turkey since the entry into force of the 2020 Cultural Property Agreement as a reference point for the strength of our partnership.

Minister Fidan and Secretary Blinken welcomed the opportunity to use the Strategic Mechanism to build a positive, forward-looking, strategic vision to advance shared goals.

The parties wish for the Turkey-US strategic relationship to continue to progress and are pleased with the increase in bilateral contacts.