Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Mike Pompeo
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his U.S. counterpart Michael Pompeo held a phone call on Wednesday, a source in the Turkish foreign ministry said, as the ministers attended an ASEAN meeting in Singapore.
The call was requested by Pompeo, the source said.
Çavuşoğlu and Pompeo discussed developments in Syria's Idlib and Manbij, along with bilateral issues in their phone call.
The call comes as violence in Idlib, the last major opposition-held enclave in Syria, escalated with Russia resuming air strikes in the region.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday received U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey, in the capital Ankara.In a closed-door meeting, Akar expressed Turkey's discomfort at the YPG/PKK presence in Syria and said that the terror group must leave the region.He also conveyed Turkey’s intention to continue protecting its security and regional interests in accordance with international law, as well as the need to completely rid the region from the terrorist organization.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people.Video: Turkish Defense Minister receives US Special Representative for SyriaThe request came as Turkish and U.S. forces are carrying out joint patrols in the northwestern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a roadmap to clear the area of the YPG.Turkey has carried out two-cross border operations against the YPG in Syria.In a move long sought by Turkey, the NATO allies agreed in June to implement a roadmap for the northern Syrian city of Manbij, where Ankara had threatened to push its ground offensive despite the U.S. troops stationed there.UN sees 'moment of truth' for Syria political processKremlin dismisses Trump warning on Syria's IdlibRussia resumes Idlib air strikes: Syrian ObservatoryPossible war between Israel, Iran loomsYPG/PKK terror group suffers heavy losses in August
Turkey tells US that YPG/PKK must leave Syria
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions over the detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey over terrorism charges.
Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.
Political tensions between the two countries had sparked worries in markets this month, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure against Turkey over the American pastor.
Turkey's Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak met representatives of financial institutions that manage assets worth $15 trillion in London.Following meetings with Britain's Finance Minister Philip Hammond and State Minister Alan Duncan, he met directors and representatives of 11 financial institutions.Albayrak narrated Turkey's 15-year success story and future policies that will be implemented in the frame of a stronger strategy.Last month, Albayrak held a teleconference with around 6,100 international investors and said the government aimed at making Turkey an investment center in the region.Turkey's Borsa Istanbul up at startTurkey, Qatar to ink trade deal on Tuesday
Turkish finance minister shares policies in London