Turkish FM meets US-led coalition reps to address Syria crisis and regional stability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with representatives of the US-led coalition on Syria during his visit to Washington, according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

The meeting took place at the Turkish Embassy in Washington and is part of Fidan’s broader diplomatic agenda during his visit to the United States, Caliber.Az reports citing the ministry's message on X.

Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan received representatives of American Coalition for Syria at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., during his visit to the U.S. 🇹🇷🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cU5ADK9QSL

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) March 27, 2025

Fidan had previously met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions covered key regional issues, including the South Caucasus, Syria, Gaza, and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.

This visit marks Fidan’s first trip to the US since Donald Trump took office as president. A central focus of his trip is to reaffirm Türkiye’s position on Syria’s stability and territorial integrity. Fidan is expected to stress the need for a coordinated international response to Syria's ongoing crisis. He will also advocate for lifting sanctions against Syria, emphasizing the importance of greater humanitarian cooperation and supporting the country's reconstruction efforts.

In addition to Syria, Fidan’s agenda includes addressing Türkiye's exclusion from the US-led F-35 program. He is expected to press for a review of this issue and seek to resolve the obstacles hindering defense procurement processes. Another key point of discussion will be the removal of sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which could improve bilateral defense industry cooperation.

A significant objective of the visit is to foster stronger trade relations between Türkiye and the US, with both sides aiming to reach $100 billion in bilateral trade. The talks are expected to explore ways to align defense cooperation with the evolving geopolitical landscape, ensuring both nations can advance their shared strategic interests.

By Tamilla Hasanova