WASHINGTON
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the "dire situation" in Gaza, calling for "urgent attention" towards a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid in the Palestinian enclave during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This meeting was part of the Türkiye-US Strategic Dialogue Mechanism at the State Department.
"The dire situation in Gaza requires the international community's urgent attention to halt the suffering of innocent people," Fidan stated. "Immediate humanitarian assistance is crucial. Therefore, we must collaborate diligently to ensure a ceasefire and the provision of unhindered humanitarian aid within Gaza," Fidan elaborated.
Secretary Blinken responded by highlighting the significance of the maritime initiative introduced by President Joe Biden, aimed at addressing the crisis. He underscored the necessity of expanding land crossings into Gaza to facilitate humanitarian efforts.
"We are intensely working towards achieving a ceasefire, securing the release of hostages, expanding humanitarian assistance, and fostering conditions conducive to an enduring resolution," Blinken said. He also noted, "The next move is for Hamas to make."
These discussions followed a series of high-level engagements between Turkish and US officials, including a notable meeting between Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar and US Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell.
Fidan, who arrived in Washington on Thursday, held meetings with White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and several Congress members, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin.
The meetings are set to cover a range of bilateral and regional issues, such as the Gaza conflict, the Russian-Ukraine war, and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process.
Turkish diplomatic sources indicated that Fidan would outline Türkiye's stance on combating the PKK/YPG and FETO terror groups. Discussions are also expected on Türkiye's procurement of F-16 fighter jets, its involvement in the F-35 program, and Ankara's request to be lifted from the US' Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The recent approval by the US Congress of the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, following the Turkish parliament's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership, has been viewed as a positive step towards strengthening the NATO allies' relationship.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism about the evolving dynamics between Türkiye and the US, citing "some positive developments."
"The atmosphere in Congress is currently positive," Erdogan remarked on Feb. 15, following his visit to Egypt. "It appears that the number of issues where the US and Türkiye find common ground is on the rise."
US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake, in an article for Deseret News, stated that the F-16 sale approval signifies a mutual commitment to a robust bilateral relationship.