Turkish FM Fidan joins Trump-Sharaa meeting at White House

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan participated in the groundbreaking White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a significant diplomatic engagement during the first Syrian presidential visit to Washington in nearly eight decades. Fidan's involvement underscored Türkiye's crucial regional role and its vested interest in Syria's political future and regional stability arrangements.

Trilateral Discussions

Minister Fidan confirmed his participation in the extended meeting, noting that he conveyed "our president's (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) greetings and best wishes to Trump" during the diplomatic encounter. The Turkish foreign minister characterized the discussions as covering "Türkiye's general views on Syria, opportunities for cooperation with the US, and numerous issues related to Syria's development, unity, solidarity, peace and regional security." His presence ensured Turkish perspectives were incorporated into the dialogue between American and Syrian leaders during this historic diplomatic breakthrough.

Additional Bilateral Meetings

Beyond the trilateral session, Fidan conducted separate consultations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who also serves as American ambassador to Türkiye. These parallel discussions enabled more detailed examination of specific bilateral concerns and coordination mechanisms between Ankara and Washington regarding Syrian affairs and broader regional security challenges affecting both NATO allies and regional partners.

Historic Context

President Sharaa's White House visit represented the first by a Syrian leader since the country gained independence approximately 80 years ago, signaling a potential transformation in US-Syrian relations that had been largely adversarial for decades. Türkiye's active participation in these discussions reflects Ankara's strategic position as a key stakeholder in Syrian affairs, given its extensive border with Syria, ongoing security concerns, and substantial involvement in regional diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the prolonged Syrian conflict.