Full text of joint Turkey-US statement issued after Tillerson-Çavuşoğlu meeting

[LegionnairE]

A joint official statement has been issued by Turkey and the United States after the two countries’ foreign ministers, Rex Tillerson and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, met on Feb. 15.

The full text of the statement reads as follows:

“The Republic of Turkey and the United States, as allies and strategic partners, reaffirm their mutual and unequivocal commitment to each other’s security and defense.

“As Allies within NATO and strategic partners for over 65 years, both nations consider their relations as vital to furthering their shared goals and interests, as well as to the promotion of democracy, rule of law and individual freedoms throughout the world.

“The United States condemns the heinous coup attempt that took place in Turkey on July 15, 2016 and stands in full solidarity with the democratically elected Government of Turkey and the Turkish people.

“In the spirit of our longstanding alliance, we reaffirm our commitment to resolving outstanding issues in the bilateral relationship. The two sides agreed to establish a results-oriented mechanism for this purpose. This mechanism will be activated no later than mid-March.

“We reaffirm that our common agenda is a global one, which includes many critical issues ranging from the fight against terrorism, countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, bringing lasting peace and stability to the Middle East including in Syria and Iraq, ensuring energy security and combatting radicalism, violent extremism and Islamophobia.

“The Republic of Turkey and the United States, as longstanding Allies, reaffirm their determination to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Turkey and the United States reiterate their resolve to fight against DEASH, PKK, Al Qaeda, and all other terrorist organizations and their extensions. We recognize the right to self-defense of our countries against terrorist threats directly targeting our nations.

“Turkey and the United States reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria. To this end, we will decisively stand against all attempts to create faits accomplis and demographic changes within Syria, and are dedicated to coordination on transition and stabilization of Syria.

“Recognizing the fact that there can only be a political solution to the Syrian crisis, and that it requires a viable political transition, Turkey and the United States agree to intensify their cooperation to bring about this result within the framework of established parameters, namely the UNSC Resolution 2254, and through the Geneva process.”

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/fu...sued-after-tillerson-cavusoglu-meeting-127439

 

[LegionnairE]

And here's the text and video of the media conference.
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/02/278410.htm

it seems my first hunch was right. Tillerson repeats the same bullshit about calling Turkey to show restraint, promising their arms support to ypg would be mission specific about ISIS etc. Because you know, this is very mission specific:

YPG totally needs javelin ATGMs to beat ISIS.


But, then they proceed to talk about returning areas in Syria to their pre-war demographic compositions and they'll start with Manbij.

So it seems like a compromise. YPG will leave Manbij but the US keeps arming them.
Funny thing is, this was promised before, during the op. ES and YPG didn't retreat to the east of euphrates.
I hope they refuse again.

 

[what]

I feel like the meeting will change things, just dont expect anything to happen fast.

 

[LegionnairE]

I feel like the meeting will change things, just dont expect anything to happen fast.

I think Tillerson tried his best to repair the relationships.

But the #1 of the american government the president pomised that arms shipments to YPG would stop.
It didn't happen and it won't.
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/or...uble-ak47-supply-partners-syria-pentagon.html

What I feel that's going on is a clash between the different branches of the US government.
Not even Trump has a handle on things.

So, is Tillerson even able to deliver on his promises?
God knows at this point.

@WarDaddy97 what do you think?

 

[Saithan]

I doubt that, the President of US is the commander in chief, and his word is law. So if his generals can ignore what he says without repercussions then it's pretty bad. Or he's just providing lipservice and continue doing whatever was planned.

 

[Kiryu]

When the US/SDF and Assadist forces were rushing towards Raqqa and the Deir ezzor, they could of completely wiped out ISIS in Syria. Instead, after the hardest fighting was over, they let ISIS keep control of some villages in the desert.
The US, along the important Iraqi border which is the main supply route for the SDF and the Assadists allowed ISIS to remain in a desert patch south of Deir ezzor, so as to maintain their own forces in the area.
If they wanted to finish ISIS, they could off, as usual ISIS is the excuse needed to further other agendas.