Turkey, US agree to boost bilateral cooperation

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim agreed over the phone Thursday to increase cooperation between the two countries, according to a Prime Ministry source.

During the call, Pence described Turkish-U.S. relations as entering a "new day", the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media said.

The two leaders also agreed to increase bilateral cooperation on basis of the countries’ alliance and partnership, especially in the areas of military, security and counter-terrorism.

Pence also expressed condolences for the death of Turkish soldiers who were accidentally martyred Thursday during Russian airstrikes against Daesh in northern Syria's Al-Bab region.

On Tuesday night, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a 45-minute telephone call. They discussed the situation in Syria, the refugee crisis, and counter-terrorism, and their call reportedly led to the current visit to Ankara of CIA Director Mike Pompeo.