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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' meeting with Turkish Minister of Defense Nurettin Canikli

Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Turkish Minister of Defense Nurettin Canikli today at the NATO Defense Ministerial to reaffirm the longstanding defense relationship between the United States and its NATO ally, Turkey. Following their Aug. 23 meeting in Ankara, the secretary thanked the minister for Turkey's continued, critical contributions to global security and the fight to defeat ISIS. Secretary Mattis acknowledged the threats posed to Turkey, and reiterated that the U.S. will continue to stand with Turkey in its fight against the PKK and all terrorist threats.

Secretary Mattis and Minister Canikli agreed to continue their full range of bilateral defense activities and consultations, and to look for ways to further strengthen defense cooperation in the future.