<p style="text-align: left;"> A U.S. delegation headed by James Jeffrey, the U.S. special envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat IS, separately met with presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and foreign ministry officials on May 1, Hurriyet daily reported.<br /> Aside from putting extra emphasis on Turkey’s national security priorities, many other important issues also were discussed: the fight against terror in eastern Euphrates and in entire Syria, the planned safe zone, implementing the road map for Manbij, the Kurdish forces in Syria and situation in Idlib and rebuilding Syria were discussed during the meeting, according to presidential sources.<br /> “It was assured that all of Turkey’s security concerns will be allayed with the planned safe zone and that all terrorist groups will be eliminated from the region,” according to presidential sources.<br /> Both sides agreed that a solution should be decided and implemented following parleys between technical committees of Turkey and the U.S.<br /> Cooperation regarding Syria should be pursued with trust and transparency, Kalin and Jeffrey assented, according to the sources. The U.S. delegation also met Turkey Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar.<br /> Turkey and the U.S. have launched talks for a possible safe zone near the Turkish border in northern Syria, following the Washington’s decision to withdraw most of its troops in the country. The idea responded to Turkey’s concerns regarding the threat posed by the Kurdish YPG as Ankara voices unease about the Kurdish group in the region.<br /> Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have increased recently with Turkey set to begin receiving the Russian surface-to-air missile system that Washington contends will jeopardize Ankara’s role in the F-35 fighter jet program and could trigger American congressional sanctions.<br /> Reporter's code: 50101</p>