By Canberk Yuksel and Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday stressed continued cooperation with the U.S. against terrorism during his first meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
"We are committed to fighting all kinds of terrorism, without any discrimination whatsoever, that impose a clear and present threat upon our future," Erdogan said in brief prepared remarks in the Roosevelt Room.
"There is no place for terrorist organizations in the future of our region," the president said.
The meeting comes amid strong disagreements between the U.S. and Turkey regarding Washington's support for the YPG as Turkey views the group as the Syrian offshoot of the terrorist PKK organization.
The Pentagon said last week the U.S. would begin directly arming the YPG.
Engaging the YPG, and its political wing, the PYD, as partners, "no matter which country does it, certainly does not fall in line with the global agreement that has been reached" on terrorism, Erdogan said.
During the news conference, Trump voiced support for Ankara in its fight against Daesh and the PKK, saying the U.S. would work to ensure that terror groups “have no safe quarter.
“The Turkish people have faced horrible terrorist attacks in recent years, and even recently,” he said. “The relationship that we have together will be unbeatable,” Trump said of joint anti-terror efforts.
He also voiced appreciation for Turkey’s leadership “in seeking an end to the horrific killing in Syria”.
Erdogan stressed Turkey's efforts against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) that Ankara accuses of mounting a defeated coup attempt last summer. The Turkish government is seeking FETO leader Fetullah Gulen's extradition from the U.S.
"I have been very frankly communicating our expectations with regards to Fetullah Terrorist Organization which we have notified our friends of their involvement in the failed coup of July 15 in Turkey," Erdogan said.
Among the issues the men will discuss are a mutual effort to “reinvigorate our trade and commercial ties”, Trump said.
Prior to the meeting, Trump said the discussions would be “long and hard” but fruitful.
“We've had a great relationship and we will make it even better," he said.
White House: Trump, Erdogan seek to strentghen ties
President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed ways to strengthen the Turkish-American relationship during their first face-to-face, the White House said after the meeting.
"President Trump reiterated the commitment of the United States to the security of our NATO ally Turkey and the need to work together to confront terrorism in all its forms," the executive mansion said in a readout of the meeting.
At the White House earlier Tuesday, Erdogan said, "We are committed to fighting all kinds of terrorism, without any discrimination whatsoever, that impose a clear and present threat upon our future.
"There is no place for terrorist organizations in the future of our region," he added.
The two leaders met amid strong disagreements between the U.S. and Turkey regarding Washington's support for the YPG as Turkey views the group as the Syrian offshoot of the terrorist PKK organization.
The Pentagon said last week the U.S. would begin directly arming the YPG.
Engaging the YPG, and its political wing, the PYD, as partners, "no matter which country does it, certainly does not fall in line with the global agreement that has been reached" on terrorism, Erdogan said.
During their joint news conference, Trump voiced support for Ankara in its fight against Daesh and the PKK, saying the U.S. would work to ensure that terror groups “have no safe quarter".
And during a meeting with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik, Defense Secretary James Mattis "reaffirmed support for Turkey in its fight against the PKK and plan to increase cooperation on Turkey's counter-PKK efforts.
"The leaders firmly agreed on concerns regarding the PKK, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization that has orchestrated the killing of innocent Turkish civilians and Turkish soldiers," Pentagon spokesman Dana White said in a statement.
Mattis also "recognized the generosity of the Turkish government" in hosting refugees from the Syrian conflict, White said.
Trump and Erdogan will next meet May 25 at a NATO summit in Brussels.
