FM Fidan, US counterpart Rubio highlight Syrian engagement, regional issues

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need to engage with the Syrian government during a meeting Tuesday at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

“Both sides emphasized the importance of engaging with the Syrian government and expressed their determination to stabilize Syria and combat terrorism,” the sources stated.

Fidan and Rubio also discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, including the need for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, which both deemed crucial for regional peace.

The meeting followed up on topics discussed during a March 16 phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump, the sources added.

Talks between FM Hakan Fidan and US counterpart Marco Rubio begin at US State Department https://t.co/AoWmb3eqlA pic.twitter.com/K0cQ052nBQ

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‘Political will to remove obstacles’

The two officials also reviewed preparations for upcoming head-of-state-level visits, with both expressing a commitment to removing obstacles to defense cooperation.

“Both sides clearly expressed their political will to remove obstacles to cooperation in the defense industry. Technical meetings will be held to resolve existing issues,” the sources said.

Additionally, the discussion touched on efforts to achieve a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, with Türkiye reaffirming its support for recent U.S. initiatives on the matter.

The talks also covered the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and underscored the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability for the broader Balkan region.