FM Fidan to meet US Secretary of State Blinken for Türkiye-US Strategic Mechanism
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to the U.S. for the Türkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism meeting will focus on a wide range of strategic topics from counterterrorism to energy cooperation
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to depart on Thursday for a two-day visit to the United States at the invitation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
This visit will include participation in a meeting of the Türkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism, established to foster dialogue on both shared interests and areas of disagreement.
During his visit, Fidan is set to hold discussions with Secretary Blinken, focusing on matters of bilateral relations, along with regional and global developments.
This visit underscores the ongoing diplomatic engagements between Türkiye and the U.S., aiming to strengthen ties and address key issues of mutual interest.
Türkiye-US Strategic Mechanism
U.S. government officials have emphasized the significance of the upcoming Türkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism meeting, set to take place this week in the U.S., as a crucial opportunity to establish a “forward-looking positive agenda.”
“Working together, we are crafting a positive, forward-looking strategic agenda to advance our mutual objectives,” U.S. officials told reporters in anticipation of Fidan’s impending visit to the U.S.
Foreign Minister Fidan had previously announced plans for his trip on March 7-8, following an invitation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken to participate in the Türkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism meeting.
The meeting is expected to include discussions across various working groups, focusing on areas such as counterterrorism, defense cooperation, and economic collaboration, according to the officials.
Furthermore, strategic topics including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, developments in the Middle East, the Syrian crisis, the ongoing situation in Gaza, and matters concerning the South Caucasus region will also be on the agenda for discussion during the meeting.
Climate, energy, education topics will also be discussed
“Opportunities abound in sectors such as energy, health care, information and communications technologies, smart cities, and transportation,” stated the U.S. official, noting that the upcoming meeting will include a dedicated session focused on energy and climate discussions.
“We are particularly enthusiastic about promoting Türkiye’s role as an energy supplier for Europe, which includes plans for increased exports of non-Russian gas,” emphasized U.S. officials.
Addressing the education sector, U.S. government representatives highlighted a notable increase in the number of Turkish students pursuing studies in the U.S. over the past two years.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Türkiye Fulbright program, with officials noting that approximately 6,500 scholars and participants have benefitted from it since its establishment in 1949.
F-16 modernization on the way
Regarding the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, US officials emphasized its significance as a substantial economic opportunity and a major defense agreement.
“The F-16 deal is crucial for NATO’s strength, enhancing interoperability among allies, and strengthening our collective security,” officials stated, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in advancing shared security objectives.
Source: Newsroom
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