ANKARA
US President Barack Obama said, "Turkey would play an important role as we bring representatives of the (Syrian) regime and opposition together in the coming weeks," stating that Turkey and the US agree that Assad needs to transfer power to a transitional body.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Rose Garden following the meeting between Turkish and US delegations at White House, Obama said, "It is a great pleasure to welcome my friend, Prime Minister Erdogan, back to the White House. This visit is also another opportunity for me to return the extraordinary hospitality that the prime minister and the Turkish people showed me on my visit to Turkey four years ago, and that included my visit to the prime minister's beautiful hometown of Istanbul."
Emphasizing the significance of the visit, Obama stated that it reflected the importance placed by the US on the alliance with Turkey.
Common issues of cooperation discussed
Obama stated that they discussed many areas of cooperation between Turkey and the US during the meeting, including Afghanistan, the G-20, and Iran nuclear issue.
"We agree it is critical that we do not see that country acquire a nuclear weapon and potentially trigger an arms race throughout the region," said Obama.
Underlining Turkey's initiatives to normalize relations with Israel, Obama said, "This will benefit both the Turkish and Israeli people, and can also help us make progress on a two-state solution including an independent Palestinian state.
Deepening economic relations
Stating that they focused on three main areas, Obama said, "First, we agreed to keep expanding trade and investment. Over the past four years our trade has surged and U.S. exports to Turkey have more than doubled. As the United States pursues a new trade and investment partnership with the EU, I want to make sure that we also keep deepening our economic ties with Turkey. So we're creating a new high-level committee that will focus on increasing trade and investment between our two countries and will help fuel Turkish innovation."
Obama highlighted the progress that Turkey's economy had made over the last several years, defining it as "remarkable", and added, "The prime minister deserves much credit for some of the reforms that are already taking place."
US support to solution process
Obama stated that the second high agenda of the meeting was reaffirming their "solemn commitment to the mutual security".
Exressing his condolences to the Turkish people and the victims of May 11 Reyhanli attacks, "As always, the United States stands with you as you defend your nation against terrorism. We want to thank you for the cooperation that you've provided us in threats against the United States," said Obama.
Obama also greeted Turkish government and nation in seeking an "historic and peaceful resolution of the PKK violence that has plagued Turkey for so long", and added, "And just as the United States has stood with you in your long search for security, we will support efforts in Turkey to uphold the rule of law and good governance and human rights for all."
Turkey and US agree on Syria issue
Expressing that the final topic of the meeting was Syria issue, Obama said, "Under the prime minister's leadership, the Turkish people have shown extraordinary generosity to the Syrians who have found refuge in Turkey, and I know this is a heavy burden. I've made it clear again today that the United States is going to keep on helping countries in the region, including Turkey, shoulder this burden, doing our part as a major donor of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, including those refugees in Turkey. And we're going to keep working with our Turkish partners to deliver the food, shelter and medicine that's needed to save lives."
Regarding the solution to the Syria issue Obama stated that they were going to keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime and working with the Syrian opposition. Obama added that Erdogan had been at the forefront of the international effort to push for a transition to a democratic Syria without Bashar Assad, emphasizing that Turkey would play an important role as we bring representatives of the regime and opposition together in the coming weeks.
Obama said, "We both agree that Assad needs to go. He needs to transfer power to a transitional body. That is the only way that we're going to resolve this crisis. And we're going to keep working for a Syria that is free from Assad's tyranny, that is intact and inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups and that's a source of stability, not extremism, because it's in the profound interest of all our nations, especially Turkey."
Finally Obama thanked Erdogan for being "such a strong ally and partner in the region and around the world."
