Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to travel to Washington on March 25 for a two-day official visit, where he will hold strategic talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials.

This marks the first high-level ministerial meeting between Türkiye and the United States since President Donald Trump took office, signaling a renewed push to bolster bilateral ties.

The agenda will center on strengthening Türkiye-U.S. relations, with a focus on regional crises, defense collaboration, and economic partnerships. Key topics include the conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria, alongside counter-terrorism efforts and a shared goal of boosting bilateral trade to $100 billion.

In discussions on Syria, Fidan will emphasize Türkiye’s dedication to the country’s stability and territorial integrity, calling for the lifting of sanctions and increased humanitarian aid and reconstruction support. He is also expected to press for enhanced cooperation against Daesh, including the management of detention centers holding terrorists, and address Türkiye’s concerns over the PKK/YPG operating under the “SDF” banner, as well as the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

On Ukraine, Fidan will highlight Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to mediate the ongoing conflict and express readiness to back U.S.-led ceasefire initiatives. Regarding Palestine, the Turkish delegation will urge Washington to intensify efforts for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and ensure uninterrupted humanitarian aid, leveraging its influence with Israel.

Defense talks will tackle Türkiye’s potential return to the F-35 program, the removal of CAATSA sanctions, and solutions to procurement challenges in the defense industry, aligning cooperation with shifting global dynamics. These steps are seen as critical to advancing economic ties and meeting ambitious trade targets.

The visit builds on recent progress in Türkiye-U.S. relations, including a March 16 phone call between Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump, and the 2024 completion of an F-16 Viper procurement deal following Congressional approval. Ongoing working groups on Syria, energy, counter-terrorism, and Iraq further underscore the deepening partnership. Fidan and Rubio’s prior meeting at the Munich Security Conference on February 14 laid the groundwork for this latest engagement.

As both nations face a complex global landscape, Fidan’s visit highlights the strategic importance of Türkiye-U.S. collaboration and their shared commitment to addressing mutual challenges. (ILKHA)