Turkey Focus on Fight I SISU

“We are holding an open and honest dialogue and I think we are close to reaching agreements”, Mattis said at a press conference at the end of a two-day meeting with NATO counterparts at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

“Mattis met with Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli and urged a focus on the campaign to defeat the Islamic State and prevent any remnant of the terrorist organisation from being reinstated in Syria”, the Pentagon stressed today in a communiqué.

“Mattis acknowledged the legitimacy of threats that terrorist organisations make up for Turkish national security”, the communique stresses

“They agreed to continue their military co-operation”, the Pentagon added.

This meeting took place a day before Ankara's visit to European diplomacy chief Rex Tillerson, who will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, before meeting counterpart Mevluut Cavusoglu.