Türkiye’s ambassador to US stresses cooperation over discord

At the 39th Turkish-American Conference, Türkiye’s ambassador to the U.S. stressed prioritizing common ground over differences with Washington

In his speech at the 39th Turkish-American Conference, Türkiye’s Ambassador to the U.S. Sedat Onal emphasized the importance of focusing on areas of consensus rather than disagreements between Ankara and Washington.

Onal underlined the enduring friendship and solidarity between the two NATO allies, emphasizing their shared history.

“In such an environment, we do not have the luxury of putting the emphasis on our disagreements; we need to increase our convergences,” Onal said.

He highlighted Türkiye’s strategic position in the midst of various global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Libya and the South Caucasus. Onal emphasized the need for cooperation with stakeholders such as the United States to promote peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

In the midst of such challenges, Onal emphasized the imperative to increase points of convergence rather than dwelling on differences. He expressed his commitment to enhance cooperation to address common concerns vital to regional peace and security during his tenure.

Underlining the economic dimension, Onal emphasized the strong Turkish-U.S. economic and trade relations.

Omer Bolat agreed with this view, noting that they had a productive meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and shared the goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade.

Bolat emphasized that Turkish-American relations are ready to accelerate and deepen in various sectors, including investment, trade, services, industry, financial cooperation and green economy initiatives.

Bolat affirmed Türkiye’s readiness for dialogue and cooperation to advance bilateral relations at all levels.

Source: AA