Subject: Readout of the President's Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey
From: White House Press Office<[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 18:07:30 -0500

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2016

*Readout of the Presidents Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey*

The President spoke today by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed the situation in Syria and agreed on the urgency of continued efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, and to disrupt ISILs capacity to conduct terrorist operations in Turkey, Europe, and beyond. The President noted the importance of international cooperation to maintain the Cessation of Hostilities and to make progress on a negotiated political transition in Syria. The two leaders discussed opportunities for deepened cooperation in the fight against all terrorist groups, including the PKK. In this context, the President emphasized the U.S. commitment to Turkey's security as a NATO Ally. 

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