Erdogan welcomes Blinken in Istanbul

The discussion between Blinken and Fidan, which lasted approximately two hours, covered several critical topics. According to a post on the Foreign Ministry's social media account, these included the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the ensuing humanitarian crisis, Sweden's process of joining NATO, and various bilateral and regional matters.

Blinken's visit to Turkey is part of his broader regional tour, initiated in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza beginning October 7.

This tour marks his fourth since the hostilities commenced and includes stops in Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt. In Istanbul, Blinken aimed to address a range of critical issues with his counterparts.

After his engagements in Turkey, Blinken is scheduled to travel to Greece, where he will meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the island of Crete in the evening.