Syria to top talks in Erdogan's crucial U.S. visit

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to depart for his four-day trip to the United States today with a heavy agenda topped by recent developments in Syria and the Syrian regime-linked deadly blast that killed 49 Turkish citizens over the weekend. Apart from Erdogan’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, another crucial meeting will take place at the Pentagon where Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is expected to give a detailed briefing on Syria.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, EU Minister Egemen Bagi? and Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan will accompany Erdogan, along with 90 businessmen who will have separate meetings with their U.S. counterparts. The prime minister’s meeting with Obama is set to take place on May 16. The most important topic of the Erdogan-Obama meeting will be the ongoing turmoil in Syria and international efforts to end the bloodshed in Turkey’s southern neighbor. As Turkish officials said they have evidence proving that the deadly blast in Reyhanl? was organized by the Bashar al-Assad regime, Erdo?an is likely to ask Obama to do more for the Syrian opposition to speed up the political transition.

Top issues on table

Providing arms and training to the Free Syrian Army and establishing security corridors and a no-fly zone over Syria are among Turkey’s expectations from the U.S. These issues are likely to be analyzed in a detailed manner at the Pentagon where the Secretary of Defense and top American army officials will brief Erdogan. Erdogan and Obama will also discuss the recent deal between the U.S. and Russia to hold an international conference in the coming weeks for Syria. Turkey is not opposed to the idea of reviving hopes for a political deal but its main concern is whether this will take place with or without Assad.

The Turkey-Israel reconciliation process is also going to be an important issue between the leaders as Obama played a crucial role in pushing Israel to apologize to Turkey for the Mavi Marmara attack. Turkey’s relations with Iraq and controversy over its ambitious energy deal plans with northern Iraq will also be on their agenda. Turkey’s peace process will also be discussed. Davuto?lu will have a separate meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry before the Obama-Erdo?an meeting.


/HurriyetDailynews.Com/