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Turkish President Erdogan receives US Secretary of State Blinken-UPDATED

13 December 2024 01:30 (UTC +04:00)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan late Thursday received U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ankara for talks focused on a critical aspect of establishing stability in Syria after the overthrow of brutal dictator Bashar Assad, APA reports citing Daily Sabah.

The meeting at the Esenboğa Airport was also attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the president's Chief Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Communications Director Fahrettin Altun.

Erdoğan and Blinken discussed the latest developments in Syria, with the Turkish president calling on the international community to work together for the reconstruction of institutions in Syria, a statement by the Communications Directorate said.

Erdoğan also told Blinken that Türkiye would take preventive measures in Syria for its national security against terrorist organizations, including the PKK's Syrian wing YPG.

He added that Ankara would not allow any weakness in the fight against ISIS and would prevent PKK and its affiliates from taking advantage of the situation.

Blinken noted the shared interest of the U.S. and Türkiye in supporting a Syrian-led political transition to an accountable and inclusive government, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

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Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Thursday received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Esenboga Airport in the Turkish capital Ankara, APA reports quoting Turkish media.

During the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the president’s Chief Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun were also present.

No further information about the closed-door meeting was provided by officials.

Blinken arrived in Ankara on Thursday to meet with Hakan Fidan.

Blinken was greeted at the airport by Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroglu, director general of the Turkish Foreign Ministry's Protocol Department; Michael Goldman, charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in Ankara; and several other officials.