US President Donald Trump hosted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Tuesday, where two leaders had a meeting to discuss various vital issues including US (Pentagon) plan to arm combat groups in Syria such as the PYD and YPG (both linked to terror organisation PKK as claimed by Turkey) as well as the extradition prospects of Fetullah Gülen, the leader of Gülenist Terror Group called FETÖ. Despite these differences U.S. and Turkey agree to work more closely as 2 Nato allies
Following the short meeting between two leaders Erdoğan addressed reporters and said Turkey was determined to expand its ties with the U.S. and that he hoped the visit would lay a new foundation for relations between the two countries. He went on to say "It is absolutely unacceptable to see YPG-PYD as partners in the region, and it is against a global agreement already accepted. We are committed to fighting all kinds of terrorism, without any discrimination whatsoever, that impose a clear and present threat upon our future." This was obviously a reference to the arms and military support provided by the USA to the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). President Erdogan conveyed to the US presidency the worries of Ankara about this issue which Turkey considers as top critical, especially as YPG is considered as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as a national security threat along its southern border with Syria.
Erdogan also said he had shared Turkey's expectations that the U.S. would cooperate with Turkey in the fight against FETÖ and that Turkey hoped Fetullah Gülen would be extradited by the U.S.
Trump addressing the reporters said that hosting Erdogan was great honor and that he looked forward to having a long and productive meeting.
Trump said that the United States had always had a good relationship with Turkey and that it would be better and even "unbeatable" now.
Later in the evening, the Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalın issued a statement on the meeting, saying the the two leaders discussed issues such as how to enhance cooperation in economy, trade and defense. He went on to say "The fight against Daesh and the PKK, as well as the steps to be taken against the terrorist organization of the FETO, was discussed in detail."
