Noting that the FETO will be high on their agenda during the visit, President Erdoğan said: "Turkey has taken several steps for the extradition of the FETO leader in Pennsylvania, and we will continue to do so. We are determined to pursue them until all putschists are held to account before the court."
"We have begun to repatriate ISIS members"
"We will also discuss our bilateral relations and Syria in detail. We will address the issue of cooperation in the fight against terrorist organizations, including DAESH, PKK/YPG," Erdoğan said.
"We will once again raise the prices Turkey has paid and its determination in the fight against ISIS," Erdoğan noted. "We have begun to repatriate ISIS members. And a process of panic has kicked in at those places. It was us who have been worrying so far. Now, let them worry and decide what to do."
"We will also discuss the latest situation in 'Operation Peace Spring'. And we will convey that the U.S. must approach and treat the YPG/PYD organization just like ISIS and other organizations," President Erdoğan said.
"We will show with documents what Ferhat Abdi Şahin is and that it is wrong to receive and talk to Ferhat Abdi Şahin. We will convey all the attack that YPG/PKK leader has committed so far in Turkey with pictures and documents," Erdoğan underscored.
"We will also note that the agreement reached with the U.S. within the framework of 'Operation Peace Spring' has not been fully fulfilled," President Erdoğan stated.
"We would like to usher in a new era on matters of security"
"We will see what we can do in order to prevent the increasing negative views on Turkey in the U.S.," President Erdoğan said, and underlined that the fight against illegal organizations will be the top priority during his talks with U.S. President Trump. "We would like to usher in a new era on matters that concern the security of our two countries."
President Erdoğan also answered reporters’ questions following his remarks.
In answer to a question, President Erdoğan said: "Unfortunately, we cannot say at the moment that the YPG/PKK organization have withdrawn from the area. They are still there," President Erdoğan said, pointing to the acts of YPG/PKK committed against civilians in the area.
Underscoring that the U.S. and Russia have not been able to clear the area of organizations, President Erdoğan noted that he will discuss the with U.S. President Trump during his visit and with Russian President Putin in a phone call later.
ILKHA