Erdogan seeks better ties with US and EU, but on his terms

Semih Idiz

Jan 25, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (R) speaks as Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) looks on during a luncheon at the State Department May 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. Prime Minister Erdogan was on a visit in Washington and had talks on Syria with U.S. President Barack Obama. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — US Vice President Joe Biden (R) speaks as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) looks on during a luncheon at the State Department, Washington, May 16, 2013. — Alex Wong/Getty Images

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a new chapter with the new US administration in order to overcome Ankara’s deeply strained ties with Washington. He signaled this in the letter of congratulations he sent to newly elected President Joe Biden on Nov. 10.

"I believe that the strong cooperation and alliance between our countries will continue to contribute to world peace in the future as it has been until today," Erdogan said in his letter.