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Tillerson: 'US, Turkey will act together'

16 February 2018 11:09 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt ÇavuÅŸoÄŸlu said Ankara and Washington had "reached an understanding"to normalize bilateral ties. The statement came during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, YeniÅžafak reported.

ÇavuÅŸoÄŸlu added that the NATO allies had decided to establish mechanisms to tackle the issues between the two countries.

Turkey and the U.S. are due to hold a meeting by mid-March.

Tillerson reaffirmed a “deep and important relationship with Turkey,” adding that Washington and Ankara “shared the same objectives in Syria” which include the defeat of Daesh, establishment of secure and stable zones, and ensuring an independent and unified Syria.

Tillerson added the U.S. “recognizes Turkey’s legitimate right to secure its borders.”

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Turkey against terrorist threats,” Tillerson said.

“We’ve decided we needed to talk about how to move forward. Our relationship is important and valuable. We’re not going to act alone any longer. We are going to act together from this point forward. We are going to work through the decisions that are causing problems for us,” he added.

“The problems we have been experiencing and their respective solutions were addressed during our talks," ÇavuÅŸoÄŸlu said.

Regarding Syria’s YPG-held Manbij, ÇavuÅŸoÄŸlu said Turkey would take steps with the U.S. once the YPG left the city.

“The terrorist YPG should first withdraw from Manbij for Turkey to take steps with US based on trust,” he said. Tillerson added that the U.S. will work on promises given to Turkey on Manbij.