Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu held a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, after talks between the delegations were held in the Ministry.

Following the meeting, Syria, PKK/YPG and the call of FETO’s fugitive Adil Öksüz by the US Consul General in Istanbul highlighted.

Çavuşoğlu pointed out that there were some events affecting relations with the previous administration in the USA, “One of them is the support given to YPG/PYD by the previous administration in the fight against Daesh in Syria. Including the US administration and soldiers, the institutions acknowledge that there is no difference between YPG and PKK. PKK is in terrorist list, but unfortunately we saw business alliance with YPG in Syria in past period and regretted that past administration supported YPG.”

The arrest of Halkbank Deputy General Director is a political process

Speaking about the arrest of Halkbank Deputy General Manager Mehmet Hakan Atilla in the US, Çavuşoğlu said, “We think that this process is a political process, including Sarraf, and we see it.”

We want to believe in the US disclosure of Adil Öksüz

Çavuşoğlu responded to a question regarding to the call to FETO’s fugitive Adil Öksüz after six days of the coup attempt by the Consulate General of the US, who managed the July 15 coup attempt:

“Of course we want to believe in such an explanation, and we do not want to look for anything behind it, but eventually we want to see the details of this matter in concrete terms.”

Stating that they met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and reiterated their commitment to strengthening relations between Turkiye and the US, US Secretary of State Tillerson said he focused on three main issues in the talks.

In addition to stabilizing the region, Tillerson said that they also aimed at improving economic relations between the two countries and reminded that Turkiye, which they have been NATO ally for many years, also participated in anti-Daesh global coalition.

“As a result, the United States is always a reliable ally for the Turkish people, and a committed partner in improving the safety and security of this country, as well as economic opportunities,” said Tillerson. “Trump management has underlining our existing friendship to be strengthening for a long time.”

Responded to a question about fugitive Adil Öksüz who was an important names of July 15 coup attempt and call from a number registered in the Consulate General in Istanbul, Tillerson said, “Here the purpose of consulate is to give notice of the change in visa status, this is a normal process.”

Tillerson's evasive answer to the PKK/YPG question

Responded to the question on reminds of Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu which he said that Turkiye do not distinguish between YPG and PKK and how to resolve differences in opinion on this issue, Tillerson gave evasive answer:

“I want to underscore on the fight against Daesh. Everyone should be assured that the commitment of Turkiye and the United States to defeating Daesh. Sure to be the goal of the coalition. Where terrorism is emerging on the face of the world and it will come face to face with this coalition. The tactics used for this need to come together with our important partners there. We have to make a decision at that point. As the Coalition members come together and discuss the military activities on the grounds of this and the discussions will continue. I am clear, I am aware that these are difficult decisions and difficult choices, but this is a very clear and useful debate. The US and Turkiye will continue to be the partner of the coalition.” (Hamza Adiyaman - ILKHA)