ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Esenboga Airport in Ankara on Thursday evening. The meeting featured discussions on Syria’s political future and a potential cease-fire in Gaza, amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the closed-door meeting included several key Turkish officials, such as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Chief Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, and Communications Director Fahrettin Altun. While specifics of the discussions were not disclosed, the visit is part of Blinken’s broader diplomatic mission, which previously included a stop in Jordan.
Blinken arrived in Ankara and was received by Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroglu, Director General of the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s Protocol Department, alongside Michael Goldman, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Ankara, and other officials. His visit is aimed at addressing the transition process in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. A focu
s of the discussions is expected to be on Syria’s political transition and efforts towards establishing a cease-fire in Gaza, as outlined in a statement from the US Department of State.
Fidan and Blinken are scheduled for further talks on Friday, following preliminary discussions conducted over the phone on December 7 and 10, concerning the latest developments in Syria.