Discussing a range of issues including the Black Sea grain deal and tensions in the South Caucasus, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on Tuesday.
Blinken said the US continues to engage to facilitate dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and help achieve a long-term political settlement to the conflict, according to the US State Department.
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “They also discussed ways to advance coordination and NATO unity in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
Allowing shipments to leave Ukrainian ports, the two diplomats also discussed the Black Sea grain deal signed in Istanbul in July.
Price expressed, “The Secretary commended Turkish diplomatic efforts to ensure continued shipment of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea and emphasized the importance of maintaining UN-brokered agreements and holding Moscow accountable for the commitments it has made.”
Blinken said he was “grateful” for Türkiye’s contribution to NATO as an ally and role in dealing with challenges “we’re facing now” while speaking to reporters ahead of the closed-door meeting at Lotte New York Palace.
“Bilateral issues, the war in Ukraine & regional developments” were discussed with Blinken, the Turkish foreign minister said on Twitter.
Coming on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the meeting lasted about 30 minutes.
