Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar has arrived in Washington on Friday along with chief of general staff Yasar Guler and has held a meeting with the United States defence minister Patrick Shanahan at the Pentagon, during which the leaders discussed concerns over US support for Kurdish forces, Syrian issue and other several issues.
In a statement, the Turkish defence ministry said: “The Minister of National Defense H.E. Hulusi Akar met with U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan today at the Pentagon to reaffirm the defence relationship between Turkey and the United States … Minister Akar and Acting Secretary Shanahan discussed a broad range of issues, including bilateral defence cooperation matters, operations to defeat DAESH [IS, ISIS, a terror group banned in Russia] in Syria and Turkey’s concern with U.S. support of the YPG/PYD, the Syrian branch of the PKK.”
According to Sputnik news reports, both country’s defence ministers expressed their commitment to the continued cooperation in order to ensure the “political unity and territorial integrity of Syria”, the statement added.
Shanahan highlighted the importance of his meeting, stating that he wants to cooperate with Turkey to resolve the Syria war and make some progress.
“Our visit is important not only for bilateral relations but also for security and stability in the region,” said Akar, who thanked Shanahan for his invitation.
The statement pointed out that the two Ministers “reiterated the importance of the deep-rooted strategic partnership between Turkey and the US” as well as the “ongoing cooperation within the NATO alliance, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and NATO maritime activities”.
Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, Gen. Yasar Guler, and Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford participated in the meeting at the Pentagon as well.
In a statement, the Pentagon said: “The leaders discussed a broad range of defence issues, including operations to defeat ISIS in Syria and the United States’ concern with Turkey’s potential purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. They agreed to continue cooperating to achieve stability and security in northeast Syria. Secretary Shanahan acknowledged the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship is ‘foundational to regional security’ and thanked Minister Akar for Turkey’s commitment and support to the NATO alliance in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and NATO maritime activities.”