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The NATO allies started the meetings, dubbed the Strategic
Mechanism, on Thursday to discuss efforts to move beyond deep
policy disagreements and improve cooperation in other areas.
Ties between the allies have been strained in recent years amid
growing disagreements over a range of issues, although relations
have since gained momentum following Ankara's approval of
Sweden's bid to join NATO.
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said officials from the
countries held several rounds of discussions on topics including
Syria, the Ukraine, Gaza, defense industry cooperation, energy,
and counterterrorism.
"At the moment, especially given the point we have reached, with
a renewed psychology, a more positive agenda, we have the
opportunity to continue on our path by turning a new page," he
told Turkish media in Washington.
"While managing the problems we face now, it is important to
also realize the joint potential the two nations can create and
the opportunities they can bring," he said.
Fidan said he reiterated Turkey's view that an immediate and
lasting ceasefire was needed in Gaza and emphasized the need for
countries to do more to ease the humanitarian catastrophe and
pave the way for a two-state solution.
He also discussed ways to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine with
U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken and national security adviser
Jake Sullivan, reiterating that Ankara believed it is time to
discuss paths toward an end to the war but that Turkey did not
see this willingness from Kyiv and Moscow.
"We need a basis for talking, for this war to stop, and a
dialogue to prevent worse crises, and we call for this," Fidan
said.
The allies still remain at odds over a host of issues, such as
Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 defense systems and the
U.S. sanctions triggered by that, which led to Turkey's removal
from the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey is also deeply
concerned over U.S. support for Kurdish militants in Syria, whom
Ankara deems terrorists.
Fidan said Turkey maintained its position on Syria and over the
F-35s, saying Ankara was owed jets for the payment and work it
did as a manufacturer. He said Turkey was open to discussing the
matter but Washington needed to be "open minded".
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu. Editing by Sam Holmes.)
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