Davutoğlu Meets with US Congress Members, Discusses Genocide Bill and April 24

On Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with three members of the US Congress: Ed Whitfield (R-KY), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on US-Turkey Relations; Donna Edwards (D-MD); and Jim Moran (D-VA), reports CNN Türk.

After the meeting at Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Whitfield told reporters that they discussed House Resolution 252 on the Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s role in Afghanistan, Turkey’s mediation between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, and Turkish-Israeli and Turkish-American relations.

Whitfield, placing importance on Turkish authorities’ attempts at dialogue with Armenia and the signed Protocols, said that Armenia and Turkey must resolve the issues which exist between the two countries, while keeping in mind the historical facts.

Turning his attention to the possible return of Turkish Ambassador to Washington Namik Tan to the US, Whitfield said, “We’re optimistic about this, and we hope to conduct normal relations with Turkey.”

As for US President Barack Obama’s April 24 address, the US Congressman said they don’t have any information on the contents of Obama’s speech, but they hope that Obama doesn’t express any statements that would upset Turkey.

The delegation of US Congress members also expressed hope that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will accept the invitation from Washington and will attend the Nuclear Security Summit later this month with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.