US-Turkey discussions focus on security, trade, protests
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Tuesday with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan in Washington to discuss security and trade cooperation, as well as the ongoing protests in Turkey.
Rubio praised Turkey’s leadership in counterterrorism efforts against ISIS, emphasizing “the need for close cooperation to support a stable, unified, peaceful Syria that is neither a base for international terrorism nor a pathway for destabilizing Iranian activities.”
The U.S. official also urged Turkey to support peace efforts in Ukraine and the South Caucasus.
Additionally, Rubio voiced “concern” over the recent wave of arrests and protests in Turkey, marking the first official U.S. response to the Turkish government’s handling of the demonstrations.