Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu paid a working visit to the United States to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.

Within the framework of the visit, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu met with the Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, Secretary of Defense, Mr. Chuck Hagel and White House National Security Advisor Mrs. Susan Rice. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu met with co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on U.S. - Turkish Relations and some members of House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives.

Speaking at the joint press conference with Secretary Kerry, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that they have covered a wide range of issues with his counterpart during their meetings and that Turkey and the U.S. always work together on frozen conflicts such as Nagorno-Karabakh and Cyprus as well as on ongoing conflicts such as Syria. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that the model partnership between Turkey and the U.S. will continue forever and it will be one of the main assets of the international community in resolution of conflicts.

Touching upon the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and the EU regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that Turkey-U.S. relations are not only considered as a security based strategic cooperation but at the same time as a cooperation on democracy and economic prosperity for the two countries and for the global society.

Recalling that a great meeting on Syria was held in London and the eleven countries agreed on a framework, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that it was confirmed once again at the meeting with Secretary Kerry that Turkey and the U.S. will make any contributions to end the violence in Syria, to help the victims of the crisis in Syria and to enable the implementation of the diplomacy at Geneva-II. Drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that Turkey and the U.S. will maintain the close consultations concerning the steps to be taken on this issue.

Pointing out that he and his American counterpart also talked about Iran’s nuclear program, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that Turkey has always supported the negotiations between P5+1 and Iran and at this point welcomes the policy of U.S. President Obama on engagement with Iran.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu wished Secretary Kerry success and expressed support in his efforts concerning the Middle East peace process. He emphasized that Turkey is ready to contribute to every peace initiative in the Middle East and to work together with the U.S.