Erdogan sressed that he will not seek an appointment with U.S. President Donald Trump during U.N. meetings late September due to ongoing disputes, adding that “the job is being delayed. We have to see this fact. We are not at an ideal point. The agreement that we had reached is not being implemented in the right direction."
The agreement Erdohan referred to was brokered between Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 4, which sought the withdrawal of the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the illegal PKK, from Manbij and the joint control of the city by Turkish and American troops.
According to Turkish officials, the process had to be completed on Sept. 4 but Turkish and American troops could not yet begin joint patrolling missions due to the delayed training of the two sides’ militaries in the region.
Erdogan expressed hope that a new process would begin in the implementation of the deal as a result of future talks by Cavusoglu and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar with their U.S. counterparts.
“I hope a new process will be launched and desired steps with regards to Manbij and Tel Rifaat will be taken,” he said.
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