Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan heads to Washington tomorrow: Surprise visit decision

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

It has been announced that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to the United States tomorrow to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It was stated that the meeting will take place in Washington. The two are expected to discuss regional and global issues.

Fidan's US visit comes after claims that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to pay a visit to Washington by the end of April. In the foreign press, it was alleged that Erdoğan had 'mobilized Turkish officials' to arrange a meeting with Trump.

According to a Reuters report, it was stated that Fidan and Rubio are expected to discuss regional and global issues, primarily Syria and Ukraine. It was said that Fidan will travel to Washington on March 25 to meet with Rubio.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

CLAIMS THAT ERDOĞAN WILL MEET WITH TRUMP

In a Bloomberg report, it was alleged that Turkish officials have been making attempts for President Erdoğan to hold a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House by the end of April. Turkish officials familiar with the matter stated that Erdoğan requested this meeting to consolidate Turkey's growing influence on regional issues ranging from Ukraine to Syria.

A phone call took place between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump on March 16. During the call, the peace process in Ukraine and the latest situation in Syria were discussed. According to the statement made by the Presidential Communications Directorate, Erdoğan emphasized that cooperation between Turkey and the US should be further strengthened in the new era.

Erdoğan stated that he supports Trump's efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He expressed that Turkey has been working for a fair and lasting peace since the beginning of the war. He touched upon the importance of the two countries acting together on issues of ensuring stability in Syria and lifting sanctions.

WILL CAATSA SANCTIONS BE LIFTED?

President Erdoğan requested that the US take steps in the fight against terrorism that consider Turkey's interests. He requested the lifting of CAATSA sanctions to develop cooperation in the defense industry. He conveyed that the F-16 procurement process should be completed and that Turkey should be re-included in the F-35 program.

CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) came into effect in 2017. The law provides for the imposition of sanctions on countries that act against the interests of the US. Turkey was subjected to these sanctions because it purchased the S-400 air defense system from Russia.

During the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized that relations between Turkey and the US should be strengthened in every field. He drew attention to the importance of the two countries producing joint solutions to regional and global problems. He stated that cooperation should be carried out on issues of ensuring stability in Syria and lifting sanctions.

News Source: 12punto