An der Grenze zwischen Ankara und Washington besteht weiterhin enger Kontakt; Fidan und Blinken trafen sich dieses Mal in Brüssel, es wurde über die PKK gesprochen

T24 News Center

The Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, along with his US counterpart Antony Blinken, came together. The two ministers, who had a one-hour meeting within the framework of the NATO Foreign Ministers‘ Summit in Brussels, discussed the issue of terrorism, the war in Ukraine, and relations with NATO.

According to diplomatic sources, the possible new name for the head of the alliance was announced during the Fidan-Blinken meeting, where the relations with NATO were also assessed. Mark Rutte presented the views of Turkey and the USA on this issue.

During the one-hour meeting, where the issue of terrorism was discussed, Minister Fidan conveyed Ankara’s views on the groups referred to as the extended arms of the PKK in Syria. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the Black Sea agenda were also discussed at the meeting.

Minister Fidan also met with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and his Dutch counterpart Hanke Bruins Slot during the day. The meetings addressed issues of counterterrorism and cooperation in the defense industry.

CLICK | Foreign Minister Fidan met with the Foreign Ministers of Germany and the Netherlands

The fight against terrorism was on Fidan’s agenda

Diplomatic sources stated in their information before the summit that Fidan would emphasize during the meeting that NATO should collectively fight against terrorism and that this is one of the alliance’s tasks. In this context, it was reported that Fidan would convey Turkey’s expectations to the allies in the fight against PKK/PYD/YPG and that „it is unacceptable for some NATO members to have connections with these terrorist organizations.“

Although there has been a strain in relations between Turkey and the USA after Ankara agreed to Sweden’s NATO membership and Washington gave the green light for the sale of F-16s to Turkey, the USA has supported the SDF in northern Syria, which Turkey refers to as „SDF.“ The expansion of the PKK remains a significant point of tension between the capitals. Turkey often emphasizes that the activities of the PKK are allowed in some European countries.

CLICK | Foreign Minister Fidan will invite efforts against terrorism at the NATO meeting; Some will say the allies‘ connection to the PKK is „unacceptable“

Sources also said, „At the meeting, Foreign Minister Fidan will explain that the sanctions and restrictions that the alliance partners impose on each other in the defense industry contradict the spirit of the alliance and have a negative impact on NATO’s security.“

Fidan was expected to outline Turkey’s views at the meeting on how to effectively ensure the defense and security of Europe.

Fidan left Brussels

Fidan left Brussels to return to Ankara after the conclusion of the two-day NATO Foreign Ministers‘ meeting.

During the yesterday and today’s sessions of the meeting at the NATO headquarters, Minister Fidan also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

Hard work on the Ankara-Washington track

After nearly a year of objections, Turkey agreed on January 24 in parliament to Sweden’s NATO membership. The law passed by parliament was published in the duplicate of the Official Gazette with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 25. The accession protocol was accepted by the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs on December 26.

Following these developments, all eyes were on the process of selling F-16s to Turkey, which has been one of the main agenda items of bilateral relations with the USA since 2021 and has become a negotiating element regarding Sweden’s NATO membership.

Interest between Turkey and the USA has waned after Ankara agreed to Sweden’s NATO membership and Washington gave the green light for the sale of F-16s to Turkey.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his US counterpart Antony Blinken have had at least four face-to-face meetings since January.

In an environment where concerns are growing that the war in Gaza could escalate into a larger regional conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken launched his fourth Middle East trip from Turkey and visited the President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister Fidan on January 6. It was reported that during the two-hour meeting with Fidan, the war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis, Sweden’s NATO accession process, as well as bilateral and regional issues were discussed.

Minister Fidan met with his US counterpart Blinken in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he attended the G20 Foreign