PRESS RELEASE
Ankara, December 4, 2020
Statement on U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s Visit to Turkey
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Ankara on December 3-4. In meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal, Presidency Special Advisor Ibrahim Kalin, and other senior Turkish officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed U.S.-Turkey cooperation on efforts to advance Afghanistan Peace Negotiations.
Ambassador Khalilzad and Turkish officials discussed the best way to build on the momentum that the recent breakthrough in talks between the Islamic Republic and Taliban negotiating teams offers. Ambassador Khalilzad expressed appreciation for Turkey’s interest in helping accelerate the political process.
Ambassador Khalilzad and Turkish officials also discussed how best to garner broader international support for the negotiating teams as they attempt to define the terms of a political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
