G20 Summit: Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Joe Biden hold talks in Rome
During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US President Joe Biden discussed key points regarding human rights and Turkey’s membership in NATO. Erdogan did not get what he want with regard to ordering the purchase of F-16 fighters.
During the meeting yesterday on the sidelines of the 20th Summit in Rome, Biden stressed the importance of strong democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law for peace and prosperity, according to a statement released by the White House.
A senior US official told reporters after the meeting: The president (Biden) raised human rights issues such as democracy and the rule of law, noting that the U.S. administration will continue to raise these issues, as repression and restrictions on freedoms have reached their peak since Erdogan became president, especially after the failed coup attempt in the summer of 2016, which is also a controversial file that has not yet been resolved as the Turkish president continues his policies.
Biden and Erdogan discussed Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 fighters, which American lawmakers oppose because of Turkey’s purchase of Russian missile defense system. The first informed him that his request to purchase F-16 fighters should go through a delicate process in the United States.
Another notable point of the White House statement was Biden’s expression of “concern about the S-400 air defense missiles Turkey purchased from Russia”.
The statement emphasized Biden’s desire to maintain constructive relations with Turkey and expand areas of cooperation and effective conflict management.
The White House statement continued: Biden expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s contributions to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan for nearly two decades.
The leaders discussed the political process in Syria, humanitarian access to Afghans in need, elections in Libya, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and diplomatic efforts in the South Caucasus.
