U.S. Government Leaders Archives - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye https://tr.usembassy.gov/category/u-s-government-leaders/ Sat, 24 May 2025 06:59:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Secretary Rubio’s Statement on Providing Sanctions Relief for the Syrian People https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-rubio-statement-providing-sanctions-relief-for-the-syrian-people/ Sat, 24 May 2025 06:59:43 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=25338

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Press Statement: Providing Sanctions Relief for the Syrian People

In accordance with the President’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.

In addition, the Department of the Treasury issued Syria General License (GL) 25 to authorize transactions by U.S. persons previously prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria. The GL will allow for new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is providing exceptive relief to permit U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent accounts for the Commercial Bank of Syria.

Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States. President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria’s relations with its neighbors. The President has made clear his expectation that relief will be followed by prompt action by the Syrian government on important policy priorities.

The sanctions waiver is issued pursuant to section 7432(b)(1) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note). More information on the Syria sanctions waiver can be found here. For GL25, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) action can be found here .

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U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye
Readout from Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent’s Meeting with Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek https://tr.usembassy.gov/readout-sec-treasury-scott-bessents-meeting-min-of-treasury-finance-mehmet-simsek/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 08:55:13 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24793 On Monday, Secretary of the Treasury Scott K.H. Bessent spoke with Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek of the Republic of Türkiye. Secretary Bessent and Finance Minister Şimşek discussed trends in Türkiye’s economy.

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Readout from Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent’s Meeting with Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek

Readout
March 19, 2025
WASHINGTON – On Monday, Secretary of the Treasury Scott K.H. Bessent spoke with Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek of the Republic of Türkiye. Secretary Bessent and Finance Minister Şimşek discussed trends in Türkiye’s economy. The Secretary briefed Minister Şimşek on the Administration’s commitment to restoring maximum pressure on Iran in order to end its nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile programs, and stop its support of terrorist groups. The Secretary and Minister also discussed sanctions, as well as other economic and national security issues of mutual concern.

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-turkish-foreign-minister-fidan-28122024/ Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:06:21 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24371

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

Readout

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Syria.  Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government.  The Secretary and FM Fidan also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security of Türkiye and Syria.

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U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-blinkens-meeting-with-turkish-foreign-minister-fidan-12132024/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:23:56 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24249

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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition to an accountable and inclusive government. He reiterated calls for all actors in Syria to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, including members of minority groups, and to prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of U.S.-Turkish cooperation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS mission in Syria.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed the latest developments in efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages. Secretary Blinken underscored the urgency of reaching an agreement.

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U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye
Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan  https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-blinkens-meeting-with-turkish-president-erdogan-2/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:17:31 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24228 The post Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan  appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan

December 12, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken discussed strong U.S.-Turkish regional cooperation and our shared interest in supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition to an accountable and inclusive government. He reiterated the importance of all actors in Syria respecting human rights, upholding international humanitarian law, and taking all feasible steps to protect civilians, including members of minority groups. Secretary Blinken noted the importance of facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to all in need and emphasized that displaced Syrians will continue to need protection. He emphasized the need to ensure the coalition to defeat ISIS can continue to execute its critical mission. He also discussed the urgent need to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and surges humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Palestinian civilians.

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The United States Welcomes the Ankara Declaration by Ethiopia and Somalia https://tr.usembassy.gov/the-united-states-welcomes-the-ankara-declaration-by-ethiopia-and-somalia/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:13:36 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24218 The post The United States Welcomes the Ankara Declaration by Ethiopia and Somalia appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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The United States Welcomes the Ankara Declaration by Ethiopia and Somalia

December 12, 2024

The United States welcomes the December 11 Declaration between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reaffirming each country’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity and advancing cooperation on shared interests. We appreciate the leadership of Türkiye in facilitating this Declaration. We look forward to technical negotiations to permit Ethiopia to enjoy reliable, secure, and sustainable access to the sea for mutual economic benefit while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Ongoing dialogue and engagement are essential for a stable and prosperous future for Ethiopia and Somalia. We encourage Ethiopia and Somalia to intensify their cooperation on mutual security interests, particularly the fight against al-Shabaab, and look forward to continuing our close bilateral cooperation with both nations.

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Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf’s Travel to Iraq and Türkiye https://tr.usembassy.gov/under-secretary-bass-and-assistant-secretary-leafs-travel-to-iraq-and-turkiye/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:54:10 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24212 The post Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf’s Travel to Iraq and Türkiye appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf’s Travel to Iraq and Türkiye

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Media Note

December 11, 2024

Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf traveled to Iraq December 10-11 and met with government leaders to discuss a range of bilateral issues and regional security opportunities and challenges. They will also travel to Ankara, Türkiye on December 12 where they will join Secretary Antony J. Blinken.

In Baghdad, Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf met with Iraqi government officials and political leaders to emphasize the enduring U.S.-Iraq partnership, the importance of regional security and stability, and the need to take action to promote Iraq’s energy independence. On Syria, Under Secretary Bass emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power that is an inclusive, Syrian-led process in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

In Ankara, Under Secretary Bass and Assistant Secretary Leaf will join Secretary Blinken to meet with government officials of Türkiye, a valued NATO ally, to discuss the situation in Syria, underscoring full support for regional stability and a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition, and the need to support an inclusive and transparent process.

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-foreign-minister-fidan-12092024/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24170 The post Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson

READOUT

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about the latest developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken discussed the need for a peaceful transition of power through an inclusive, Syrian-led process in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to continue the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) mission in Syria and to ensure the protection of civilians, including members of vulnerable groups, and civilian infrastructure across the country. Secretary Blinken reiterated the need for all actors in Syria to respect human rights and uphold international humanitarian law. Secretary Blinken also expressed condolences for the Turkish soldiers who lost their lives in a helicopter crash today in Isparta, Türkiye.

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The Syrian People Finally Have a Reason for Hope https://tr.usembassy.gov/the-syrian-people-finally-have-a-reason-for-hope/ Sun, 08 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24156 The post The Syrian People Finally Have a Reason for Hope appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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The Syrian People Finally Have a Reason for Hope

Press Statement
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

After 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope. The Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse. The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process. During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

We will be closely monitoring developments as they unfold and engaging with our partners in the region. We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice. We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions. We again call on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautions to protect civilians, and to uphold international humanitarian law.

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Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria https://tr.usembassy.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-foreign-minister-fidan-on-the-situation-in-syria-2/ Sat, 07 Dec 2024 08:41:03 +0000 https://tr.usembassy.gov/?p=24133 The post Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria, December 6

For Immediate Release

READOUT

December 6, 2024

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria. The Secretary discussed the need for a political solution to the conflict, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Secretary Blinken also extended his congratulations to Foreign Minister Fidan on the selection of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu as the OSCE Secretary General and looks forward to continued cooperation in the region.

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