On her October 20 visit to Ankara, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland expressed profound condolences to the people of Turkey for the grievous attacks of October 10, and underscored the United States’ solidarity in the face of the security threats Turkey faces.
In meetings with Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu, and other officials, A/S Nuland expressed appreciation for Turkey’s airstrikes against ISIL and its other contributions to the coalition, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to help defend its NATO Ally.
She also discussed the ongoing crisis in Syria; U.S.-Turkish counterterrorism cooperation, including the threats posed to Turkey by the PKK; the Cyprus settlement talks; and the importance to Turkey’s democracy of the upcoming November 1 parliamentary elections.
