Hakan Fidan on his visit to Washington: a new era in Turkish-American relations
Hakan Fidan on his visit to Washington: a new era in Turkish-American relations
Commenting on the talks in Washington, Foreign Minister Fidan said: "At the stage we have reached, there is an opportunity to continue our journey, opening a new page with a renewed psychology and a more positive agenda." According to Fidan, he exchanged views with his American colleagues on energy, economics, finance, counterterrorism and regional issues, as well as on such major topics as Gaza, Syria and Ukraine."
Politics
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with representatives of the Turkish press in Washington, where he arrived to participate in negotiations on a Strategic mechanism between the United States and Turkey, and assessed his contacts.
He explained that they had comprehensively discussed bilateral and regional issues in the United States at meetings with both his American counterpart Anthony Blinken, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and members of Congress in Washington. Fidan stated that they had paid great attention to the Gaza issue in their negotiations.
Stating that they exchanged views with their American counterparts on "major topics such as energy, economics, finance, finance, counterterrorism and regional issues, as well as the Gaza Strip, Syria and Ukraine," Fidan noted that they had clearly stated Turkey's position on these issues. problems.
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE GAZA STRIP
Fidan explained that in meetings with their American counterparts, they discussed many topics regarding what should be done to stop the bloodshed from Israel, especially in the Gaza Strip.
Fidan said, "Fidan said: "As the humanitarian tragedy, which has escalated especially in recent months, has become unbearable, we shared our views on how the international community will deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as possible and discussed steps that can be taken here. What is our responsibility as Turkey and what are our expectations from the United States in this regard?"
Stressing that the final political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem will depend only on the creation of an independent Palestinian State and a two-State solution, Fidan said:
"There has never been such a consensus in the world, they agree on the following issues: a ceasefire, some say it is a humanitarian ceasefire, some, like us, a continuous permanent ceasefire, the arrival of humanitarian aid and an immediate end to the killing of civilians, a two-State solution. It is not only about a ceasefire, but also about the implementation of the two-State solution. Now almost the whole world agrees with this."
Fidan said the U.S. administration's approach to establishing a temporary port in Gaza is also a result of the international community's response, adding that many countries feel obligated to do something.
"THE WAR IN UKRAINE MUST END AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
Stating that they also comprehensively discussed the war in Ukraine, Fidan recalled that Russia and Ukraine are not going to sit down at the negotiating table immediately, and said: "As a third eye from the outside, there is a need for a field of conversation here now. It is necessary to stop this war, dialogue is needed to prevent the spread of great risks."
Noting that this war, which is taking place in the center of Europe, poses a danger to the entire region, Fidan said that it brings with it many environmental threats, especially the safety of the Black Sea and the safety of grain.
A "POSITIVE AGENDA" IN TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS
Minister Fidan said, "At the stage we have reached, we have the opportunity to continue our journey, opening a new page with a renewed psychology and a more positive agenda," and stated that Turkish-American relations have a long history and a reflex to solve problems.
Stating that there is a vision to increase the volume of trade between the United States and Turkey from $30 billion to $100 billion, Minister Fidan said that they are in talks on how to achieve this goal.
"While solving the problems we are currently facing, it is also important to realize the opportunities for the two countries to unlock the common potential and opportunities that they can create. Of course, this is an issue that brings with it certain mental frameworks, diplomatic flexibility and opportunities, and you know our President's vision in this regard, that is, we demonstrate the will to maximize our relations with our partners and friends, firmly defending the Fatih position of our country," Fidan said.
F-16 AND F-35 RATING
Noting that the political process regarding the F-16 has been completed and the Biden administration has informed Congress about this process, Fidan said that the technical processes related to the production and supply of aircraft have already begun.
Fidan said: "The American administration has put forward a will here and informed Congress about this issue. It was passed by Congress at the end of a certain process, and the process of making a will was completed. After that, it's actually a technical process. This is a process that will continue between the Ministries of Defense and the companies involved."
Regarding the F-35 issue, Fidan said:
"As you know, we were part of this program regarding the F-35, and then there was an unfair removal from here, using the problems with the S-400 as an excuse. We are maintaining our positions again, so there is a national payment that we have made here, there are planes that we need to buy. Of course, Turkey is always ready to discuss these issues openly and with a broad outlook. At this stage, we believe that we can discuss these issues from different perspectives. We believe that the United States should also be open-minded on this issue, there is a certain exchange of views."