Turkey’s defense minister, top diplomat discuss security, foreign relations

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey's defense chief and top diplomat met on April 24 to discuss the regional security and foreign relations in the capital Ankara, the Defense Ministry said.

In an evaluation meeting between the delegations, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu addressed the latest developments in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the proposed safe zone in Syria, in particular, a ministry statement said.

In December, U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly announced the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, however, since then Washington has backtracked and said in February a few hundred troops would remain for peacekeeping efforts and to create the safe zone.

Also attended by senior Turkish officials, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler, Land Forces Commander Ümit Dündar, Naval Forces Commander Adnan Özbal, Air Forces Commander Hasan Kücükakyüz and Deputy Foreign Ministers Sedat Önal and Yavuz Selim Kıran, the meeting reiterated firm stance in defending Turkey's rights and interests.