Under Secretary Burns: Travel to Turkey and the Middle East

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns visited Turkey, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the United Arab Emirates January 18-23, 2007. In Ankara January 18-19, he met with Prime Minister Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul as well as other Turkish diplomatic and defense officials to discuss bilateral and regional issues. Turkey is a valued NATO ally and Under Secretary Burns discussed Iraq, Iran, and bilateral issues with Turkish officials. He asserted strong U.S. support for Turkey's defense against attacks by the PKK.

Under Secretary Burns then traveled to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where he met with Prime Minister Olmert and other Israeli officials. He led the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-Israel Strategic Dialogue talks focusing on the Middle East, including the challenge posed by Iran. Under Secretary Burns  also met with Palestinian officials in Jerusalem.

On January 22-23, he visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he met with UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan to discuss regional and bilateral issues. 

Remarks by Under Secretary Burns
--01/23/07  Address to the Gulf Research Center in Dubai
--01/19/07  Interview on CNN-Turk
--01/19/07  Interview with Kanal D’s Mehmet Ali Birand
--01/19/07  Remarks After Meeting With Foreign Minister Gul
--01/19/07  Remarks Following a Meeting With Prime Minister Erdogan