Erdogan charts victory lap in Washington
Even as controversy rages in Turkey, newly empowered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to already be gaining international legitimacy and is making plans to visit Washington for formal talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s push for international legitimacy after narrowly winning a fraud-tainted referendum on expanding the powers of his office is gaining ground, especially in Washington, with unpredictable effects on the ongoing US campaign against the Islamic State.
After receiving a congratulatory telephone call from President Donald Trump on April 17, Erdogan, who has long angled for an invitation to Washington but was quietly rebuffed by the Obama administration, has now apparently gotten that too.
Turkey's foreign minister announced that Erdogan will visit Washington for formal talks with Trump in the coming weeks shortly before they come together with fellow NATO leaders at the organization’s yearly summit that is due to be held in Brussels in late May.
The pro-government Sabah reported, “Details of the meeting between the two presidents were discussed in a phone call between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his US counterpart, Rex Tillerson.” However, the White House has yet to confirm that the visit will take place.
