UPDATE - New US envoy presents credentials to Turkish president

UPDATES WITH COLOMBIAN AND MOROCCAN ENVOYS’ MEETING WITH ERDOGAN

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday received the new U.S. ambassador to Ankara.

David Michael Satterfield presented his letter of credentials the Turkish president at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey’s capital.

A souvenir photo was taken after the letter was presented.

U.S. Embassy in Turkey said on Twitter: "Earlier today, Ambassador Satterfield presented his credentials to President Erdogan. Amb. Satterfield: “I am honored to represent the United States in Turkey. My government is committed to strengthening this important relationship with a NATO ally and partner.”

Earlier in February, U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Satterfield as the country's ambassador to Turkey. The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination in late June.

The last serving American ambassador to Ankara was John Bass between 2014-2017.

Bass left Turkey in October 2017 amid a visa crisis between Washington and Ankara. The post has since been vacant.

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and the U.S. were established in 1927 after the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Erdogan also welcomed Colombian Ambassador Julio Aníbal Riano Velandia and Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Ali Lazreq at the presidential complex.

The envoys separately presented their letters of credentials.