Turkish and American officials held comprehensive talks on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but also on various bilateral issues during meetings held in Washington, as the Turkish foreign minister said late yesterday.

The two NATO allies began talks known as the Strategic Mechanism on Thursday to discuss efforts to overcome their deep differences on policy and improve cooperation in other areas. .

Relations between them have been strained in recent years due to escalating disagreements on a number of issues, despite the fact that their relations have gained positive momentum following Ankara’s move to approve Sweden’s NATO membership.

THE Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan he said that the officials of the two countries had several rounds of talks on issues such as Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, cooperation in the defense industry, energy, but also countering terrorism.

“At this moment, especially given the point we have reached, with a renewed philosophy, but also with a more positive agenda, we have the opportunity to continue on the same path, turning a new page,” Fidan told Turkish media from Washington.

“As we manage the problems we face now, it is important to also recognize the common dynamics that the two countries can cultivate, but also the opportunities that can arise,” the Turkish foreign minister said.

As Fidan said, he reiterated Turkey’s view that an immediate and lasting ceasefire is necessary in Gaza, emphasizing the need for countries to do more to address the humanitarian disaster, paving the way for a two state solution.

He also discussed ways to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken, but also the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivanstressing that Ankara believes that it is time to discuss ways that could lead to an end to the war, but Turkey does not see this will, from Kiev and Moscow.

“We need a basis for talks to stop the war, but also a dialogue to prevent worse crises and we will call for that,” Fidan said.

The different views between Turkey and the US remain on a number of issues, such as Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missiles, but also the US sanctions due to this purchase, which led to the expulsion of Turkey from the co-production program of the of F-35 fighter jets.

Turkey is deeply concerned about the US support for Syrian Kurdish rebels, whom Ankara labels as terrorists.

Fidan stated that Turkey maintains its opinion on Syria, but also on the F-35s, stressing that Ankara should be provided with aircraft for the work that Turkey did in the process of their production. Turkey is open to discussing this issue, but Washington needs to have “a more open approach”.