ERDOGAN, OBAMA HOLD ‘CONSTRUCTIVE’ TALKS ON IRAN NUKE DISPUTE, ARMENIA
Today’s Zaman
April 15 2010
Turkey
The meeting between Erdogan and Obama lasted 45 minutes instead of
the scheduled 15.
US President Barack Obama has urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan to maintain Turkey’s constructive contribution, initiative
and efforts to achieve a solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff.
Prime Minister Erdogan had a meeting with US President Obama on Tuesday
on the sidelines of two-day, 47-nation nuclear security summit in
Washington. The leaders reportedly discussed many subjects during
the meeting, while the topics of Iran and Armenia were addressed
in particular, the Anatolia news agency reported. While Erdogan
briefed Obama on Turkey’s activities to advance peace in the Middle
East and the Caucasus, the leaders agreed to continue to pursue
the work undertaken by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu with respect to the peace process
in the Caucasus.
The Turkish prime minister also stated his views on Iran’s nuclear
imbroglio and reiterated Turkey’s stance of opting for a diplomatic
solution instead of imposing new sanctions. The US president,
in response, reportedly said they are watching Turkey’s activities
directed toward diplomacy and peace with appreciation and that he also
wanted Turkey to stay on course in order to make progress and reach
a solution concerning Iran. Contrary to speculation that the meeting
would be tense due to "genocide" allegations, it lasted 45 minutes
instead of the scheduled 15 and was held in an amiable atmosphere.