US delegation meets with Turkish defense, intel chief

ANKARA

A delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives has engaged in discussions with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and National Intelligence Agency (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın during their visit to the capital Ankara.

Comprising four members of the House Armed Services Committee, the delegation holds authority over defense policy, military operations, defense industry exports and other defense-related matters.

Güler welcomed the U.S. team in the capital, where issues of mutual interest were deliberated. Key among the topics was cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, with Ankara reiterating its call on Washington to halt support for the YPG in northern Syria. Additionally, both sides underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral dialogue within the defense industry sphere.

The diplomatic ties between Ankara and Washington have entered a fresh phase following Türkiye's endorsement of Sweden's NATO membership and the U.S. approval of the sale of 40 new F-16s to its NATO ally.

A recent meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries, part of the strategic mechanism, reaffirmed the commitment to advancing ties across various sectors including the economy, trade, investments and energy.

Subsequently, the U.S. delegation also held discussions with Kalın. The talks covered a wide array of subjects including bilateral relations, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, counterterrorism efforts and preparations for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's anticipated visit to the United States on May 9.