The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey. The Secretary-General thanked the Turkish Government for its hospitality during his first bilateral visit to Turkey.

The Secretary-General and the President discussed the situation in Syria and the ongoing diplomatic efforts towards ending the conflict. The Secretary-General said he was grateful that the Astana conference was held in support of the Geneva process. The Secretary-General underscored the need to fight terrorism and extremists in Syria but that effort would not be successful without a political solution supported by the people of country.

They also exchanged views on the situation in Iraq. The Secretary-General expressed the need that the on-going operations to liberate Mosul and other areas from Da’esh not exacerbate sectarianism but instead be a symbol of national reconciliation.

The Secretary-General also commended Turkey for its outstanding generosity in hosting millions of refugees from Syria and Iraq.

The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the latest developments in the peace process in Cyprus.