U.S. President
Barack Obama spoke on Wednesday by phone with Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan
over the New Year attack and the progress made against ISIL in Iraq
and Syria.
The White House, in
a readout said the U.S. President expressed his condolences for the many killed
and wounded in the horrific terrorist attack against a nightclub in Istanbul,
for which ISIL has claimed responsibility.
He also condoled the
Turkish leader on the Dec. 17 attack against off-duty Turkish security
personnel in Kayseri, for which TAK, a wing of the PKK, had claimed
responsibility.
“The two leaders
agreed that Turkey and the United States must continue to stand united in order
to defeat terrorism.
“President Obama
welcomed Turkey’s ongoing efforts to work with regional actors to facilitate a
nationwide ceasefire in Syria and a return to political negotiations between
the Syrian regime and the opposition.
“President Obama and
President Erdogan noted recent progress in the Coalition’s campaign against
ISIL in Iraq and Syria, and agreed on the need to continue and deepen
coordination between the United States and Turkey.
“Finally, the
leaders discussed Cyprus and expressed hope that upcoming diplomatic
engagements will result in an agreement to reunify the island as a bizonal,
bicommunal federation.”
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