Turkey, US had ‘productive’ talks on Syria: US official

By Ahmet Salih Alacaci </p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – Following a meeting between Turkish and U.S. delegations, Washington’s National Security Council spokesman said the two sides had a “productive discussion.” </p> <p>Garret Marquis told journalists that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw roughly 2,000 military personnel “at a proper pace” from northeast Syria was a major talking point for the delegations led by Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton.</p> <p>Marquis said that the “strong bilateral relationship” between the two countries was emphasized during the meeting. </p> <p>“The U.S. looks forward to ongoing military-to-military consultations today on our cooperation in Syria,” he said. </p> <p>The talks between senior military, intelligence and diplomatic officials on both sides took place at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Tuesday, lasting around two hours.</p> <p>Bolton departed from the Turkish capital later on Tuesday, while other major figures — including U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford and Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey are still in Ankara.</p> <p>In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump last month announced the withdrawal of American forces from Syria. </p> <p>Trump made the decision during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which the two leaders agreed on the need for more effective coordination over the civil war-torn country.