WASHINGTON –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işik today on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, according to a news release issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.
In the meeting, Carter again strongly condemned the June 28 terrorist attack on Istanbul Ataturk Airport, the release said. He vowed the United States will continue to work intensively with Turkey to counter the threat of terrorism, with both nations' militaries standing shoulder to shoulder in Incirlik and elsewhere.
The two leaders reaffirmed their unyielding resolve to deal ISIL a lasting defeat and discussed the broad range of ongoing cooperative efforts to accelerate the terror group's defeat, the release said.
Carter also expressed appreciation for Turkey's efforts to reduce international tensions in Europe and the Middle East, Cook's release added.
Both leaders agreed to continue their close dialogue, including at the next Counter-ISIL Defense Ministerial, scheduled for July 20-21 here.