(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, April 13 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis affirmed Thursday that the US and Turkey have "a long, deep and enduring security relationship." The relationship between the two countries "continues today with United States and Turkish military forces working together to counter a wide range of threats to our common security," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon after meeting his Turkish counterpart Fikri Isik. He added that Turkey "is an essential NATO ally and a vital member of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition," referring to so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
"I also recognize and salute the humanity of the Turkish government and the Turkish people in managing the Syrian refugee flow and the associated humanitarian challenges," he remarked.
The Pentagon chief also commended Turkey's "fast response to ensure the victims of the Assad regime's hateful chloric gas attack received treatment in Turkish hospitals." Mattis stressed: "I recognize there's more to be done in the midst of the complex war in Syria. I am confident our nations can address these challenges together because we must work together." For his part, the Turkish Minister of National Defense voiced "support and appreciation" for the US military strike against the Syrian air base, hoping "it will deter the regime from its barbaric attacks with or without chemical weapons." Isik added that he will discuss with Mattis "ways and means to eliminate threats emanating from terrorism in our region." "In this regard, we will address outstanding issues an all challenges to regional and into national security, which requires determined and necessary actions from us," he added. (end) si.gb
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